Red Empress?

[captainahab]

LFS had this as a red empress....head looks all wrong to me. Colors are horrible since he's only been in the tank a few hours. Head is metallic blue, reddish around gills, near black pelvic fins, occeli on anal fin, red top edge on dorsal. Is this some peacock mix?

 

[Wimmels]

This is a Dimidiochromis Strigatus male, not a Protomelas Taeniolatus

 

[captainahab]

Actually, I just found it....it is a Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus.

 

[captainahab]

Ok, now I'm confused!! This page link shows both of the above species, and they look VERY similar. Any suggestions here? photos 8 and 18
http://www.malawis-magdeburg.de.tl/UNSERE-MALAWIS.htm

 

[Brooks74]

The last pic you posted does not look like a fusco .It looks like a compressiceps or a strigatus. The head shape is the give away imo. Fusco dont have the lateral line across its body they have a blotchly pattern like a cows hide.

 

[captainahab]

Most of the pics I found do have the blotchines, but unless there are a LOT of mislabled photos out there, not all fusco are blotchy.

 

[Brooks74]

Those pics are adult males in full breeding dress .A fusco the size of your fish would still be blotchy .

 

[captainahab]

Ok! I'm convinced, it sure looks like Dimidiochromis strigatus to me, too.

Really wish the LFS had this labeled correctly and/or I knew better! Already lost a leleupi. He may get the flip.