Show Us The Different Species of African Rift Lake Cichlids..

Ulu

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2018
1,862
3,276
164
The Sunny San Joaquin
A more recent picture of Cromwell and his nemisis ButterCup.
20190828_195607.jpg

The smaller striped blue fish are Mama Leeloo and Baby Leeloo, who looks just like her.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stephen St.Clair

Ulu

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2018
1,862
3,276
164
The Sunny San Joaquin
What kind of fish are these? Are they mbuna?
Some are and some are hybrid from Mbuna and Malawi etc, but I am no expert.

They are "rescue fish" and I am uncertain of their origins, but I believe all fish in this tank (except catfish) are Mbuna, Mbuna hybrid to Malawi, or Malawi. The one exception is the Red Jewel ("Jingles") who is native to the Nile river et al.

The largest yellow fish (Buttercup) is supposed to be a male Red Zebra. His stripes are basically nonexistent, and there's narry a red freckle on him.

Leeloo, the blue and black fish who I believe to be the female, has the coloration normally seen on mature males of that shape. Leeloo is 1/3 the size of buttercup and carried their fry in her mouth about 5 weeks without eating. I separated them to preserve the fry, 6 of whom survive and are over 3" long now.

The progeny of Buttercup and Leeloo include the blue and black Baby Leeloo, Sister Leeloo (who shows the same pattern and shape but is light tan and pinkish stripes with no blue or black) and Little Brown Leeloo, showing the same shape and pattern but presenting dark brown stripes on tan. There are also three Baby Buttercups from that spawn, which all look much like buttercup physically, and the same bright yellow color.

No telling which are male or female at this point, as they are all young, and also hybrids who don't seem to follow the normal order of male/female coloration.
 

Christophercanary

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Nov 16, 2015
75
21
13
34
Some are and some are hybrid from Mbuna and Malawi etc, but I am no expert.

They are "rescue fish" and I am uncertain of their origins, but I believe all fish in this tank (except catfish) are Mbuna, Mbuna hybrid to Malawi, or Malawi. The one exception is the Red Jewel ("Jingles") who is native to the Nile river et al.

The largest yellow fish (Buttercup) is supposed to be a male Red Zebra. His stripes are basically nonexistent, and there's narry a red freckle on him.

Leeloo, the blue and black fish who I believe to be the female, has the coloration normally seen on mature males of that shape. Leeloo is 1/3 the size of buttercup and carried their fry in her mouth about 5 weeks without eating. I separated them to preserve the fry, 6 of whom survive and are over 3" long now.

The progeny of Buttercup and Leeloo include the blue and black Baby Leeloo, Sister Leeloo (who shows the same pattern and shape but is light tan and pinkish stripes with no blue or black) and Little Brown Leeloo, showing the same shape and pattern but presenting dark brown stripes on tan. There are also three Baby Buttercups from that spawn, which all look much like buttercup physically, and the same bright yellow color.

No telling which are male or female at this point, as they are all young, and also hybrids who don't seem to follow the normal order of male/female coloration.
Ah I see, sounds like a mess IMO but the fish are beautiful I'm sure. I'm more of the collector type so I don't really want that type of arrangement.

Curious thought and this may be off topic, but for those who've kept venestus and ca cichlids like red devils, Oscars, etc. What kind of behavior comparison can be drawn from these species. My guess is that the venestus aren't as personable as the CA's but I'm wondering what the venestus personalities are like and if they are worth keeping someday. I really like the color, shape, and size of the venestus but would rather dedicate the space to CA's if they aren't that personable. Are they a schooling fish? or more of just an open water predator like umbee or somthing

thanks,
C.
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store