melanochromis ID help please

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niqolas619

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 21, 2007
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Chicago
I would like some help with a couple of fish that I picked up a month or so ago. I'm thinking they're auratus, but I'm not completely sure. Here's a pic of them. I thought the one on the left was a female, but apparently it was just young, because it has recently taken on the same dark color as the other one. They're in a 55gal tank with about 10 or so other various malawis. Will I be alright with these two in the same tank with no females once they both completely mature? Thanks in advance.

MELANOCHROMIS.jpg

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You got the ID correct. They might not show as much aggression since there is no female, but my guess is, you will end up with one in a tank of that size. Interspecifically they are mean cichlids. Good luck with them :)
 
Thanks for the quick replies. Any suggestions on sexing them when they're about 2"? I might try to get rid of the bigger male and pick up one or two broads for him.
 
i never have any trouble with mine.. i have had quite a few together and no issues.. also have a pair ..that gave me quite a bit of young ones.. i just never found them any different in temperment then any of my other africans..i think they make more out of it then there is.. they just mix well for me.. have alot of hiding places and a big enough tank and it solves alot of aggression..heres my babies mixed in..and also sometimes the female will darken up and you would think it could be a male.. my female looks dark when she does not want to be bothered..haha
 
here is a my male and second one is my female..just to give you an example how you really cannot tell all the time and the only sure way is to vent them or see she has a mouthful of eggs..:D

lots of fish 2844.jpg
 
Wow, those do look a lot alike. So maybe I do have one and one. One day soon, I'll try to vent them. it seems funny to even say that, because I have almost no idea what to look for. I've looked at stuff on the web, but never had anyone exactly show me how to do it. Thanks for the pics, red devil.
 
from what I have read on the web its like this when you vent your fish ... .. Male (two small openings) and .0 for female (one smal and one larger). Using that method has helped me on adult fish that haven spawned yet- prolly need a magnifyer of some sort on juvies maybe.
 
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