Cichlid Id Supposed To Be African Blockhead.

[snowflake311]

Going by the 4th photo thats the best one imo. It looks like it could be an african cichlid and not a NW at all.But that face does look like a Bass. My bet is some kind of african mutt? What color is the fish?

 

[rdp50734]

Its kind of a silvery/grey colour its 1.5" long and come to think of it there were Egyptian mouth brooders in the same tank!
Just to clarify the first 4 photos are all the same fish.
The 5th photo is a different species, I believe it to be some type of Aequidens, but with so many in the genus its going to take me a while before I suss out which one. But on the other hand I like him so he's staying! Especially with the big bug like eye, which I must admit I really like! Until he does my head in like the discus!

 

[Glenbo1981]

----

 

[forby3]

i think its a young Parachromis managuense but carnt be 100% because of the lighting in the tank

 

[rdp50734]

Just to let you know it went back today, I got the blockhead that I wanted, its pretty cool tbh. I also got a flag cichlid half price for my troubles!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Ooo, pics pics!

Did you get a male or female?
Is it casuarius, the true Blockhead/Lionhead, or one of the other species (tinanti; gibbiceps; blaher; irvini; glaber, red eye)? I'd laugh so much it turns out to be the beautiful but "demon aggressive" Lamprologus congoensis...
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Lamprologus&species=congoensis&id=477 , which can look like young Steatocranus!

Was getting a pair not an option, or did you never really want a pair? I desperately want to find a worthy bloke for my princess, to try and raise broods of these wonderful fish

 

[rdp50734]

I'm not sure what sex it is yet, its hiding quite a bit at the moment so pics coming just not yet!
I have no idea of the correct species type it was just labelled as West African blockhead! It was the last one so I couldn't get a pair! I would love to breed them though.
Ugly but cute at the same time. It does have some creamy blotches down its side. Roughly inch and quarter nose to tail.
Plus they are quite expensive!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Those creamy blothes are often more like intterupted vertical stripes down their sides, they only show up when stressed, which is only natural after the move

My princess has only started venturing out from her bogwood cave palace in the last day or two and even then she showed a little stress in her colouring, but again I expect it when she is saying hello to 23 other fish for the first time!

 

[rdp50734]

I wonder why they're not more commonly available? I go to 4-5 different shops and this is the first time I have seen them for sale!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Apparently wild caught Congo/Zaire species only tend to be allowed to be exported from ther regions' countries at certain times of year, presumeably after spawning seaon is over, so its often the new youngsters that are ending up in fish stores.

According to Sam, the manager of Aquajardin, "Congo fish" are expected for the next few weeks. They received some Steaocranus tinantis last week, which look quite quirky ("Blockhead" meets something like a Giant Danio for basic shape), but they are one of the larger species (~15cm) and I always had my heart set on homing the lonely famale who has been around since last year (she was looking so unhappy with the catfish, either hiding or trying to swim up the back-left corner of the tank).

 

[rdp50734]

I would gladly take her. I read multiple females are ok, no aggression but males are aggressive to each other so your female would be more than welcome! Hopefully I have a male and we can get these to as many fish forum members as possible! LOL

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Put "Steatocranus" in the search box, then look up "casuarius" if yours is a true Blockhead...

http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/fish_detail.asp?id=771&fishType=tropical

That's changed in the last two days, nobody in their subscribed chain had any, but it is now "Congo season."

 

[rdp50734]

not sure if its Steatocranus casuarius (elongatus) (West African Blockhead ) or Steatocranus ubanguiensis. Though I think it is the first! Has a bit of a hump already so possibly a male!

 

[jacko32]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CICHLID-STEATOCRANUS-CASUARIUS-MALE-RARE-BLOCKHEAD-/190415318003?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2c55a32bf3#ht_500wt_1154

 

[rdp50734]

Yes thats the one I have but its very small at the moment! What size are they before they develope their humps?