ID please

[coltiger1975]

Hi I picked up this African cichlid that was labeled a hole fish lol now he is around 5 inches. He was in my African tank but was an absolute terror. Worse than auratus. He went in with an 8 inch synspilum male which he torments, taking shots at him. If it is a hybrid I apologize for posting in this section.

 

[A201]

Probably not much help; my first impression is the aggressive little guy might be a male Kenyi hybrid. He also resembles a Victorian, Haplochromis #44. Best I could do.

 

[RD.]

Nope, neither of those. Looks like a hybrid.

 

[neutrino]

Nope, neither of those. Looks like a hybrid.

+1. Possibly some A. lwanda in the mix (dorsal edge color) with one or more mbuna species (scale pattern, shape of mouth).

 

[coltiger1975]

Darn that's what I was thinking. He seems to have some species of mbuna based on his body shape. Blue face threw me off. He certainly is an evil bugger, he is probably getting his own tank. He keeps at the much bigger synspilum now seeing scales off it. I've kept cichlids for over 30 years and not seen this kind of aggression.

 

[RD.]

Yeah, near impossible to nail it down with crosses, could have some M. lombardoi aka Kenyi in him as A201 suggested, which would explain his hyper aggression, or could be a mix of who knows what, but definitely has mbuna in the mix. Good luck with him.

 

[coltiger1975]

Thanks I was hoping he would fit in, I have a male kenyii and he is mellow compared to this one lol

He will probably be solo in a 29 gallon since he can't get along with anyone