Help With Identification Phulease

[Miki]

I’m kind of confused as to what this guy is.
I though he was a Malawi Golden cichlid for the longest time. Was I right?


Fishy

 

[Ferris]

Looks like a sub-adult male Melanochromis Auratus to me. The colours are not distinctive because he is in the process of changing from yellow to black and they appear somewhat dull during this time.

 

[Miki]

Ah thank you for clearing that up Ferris. Couldn’t wrap my head round the colour changing thing.
He's a puppy dog just now but I guess he'll get increasingly aggressive then

 

[Ferris]

Almost certainly i'm afraid - one of the most aggressive Mbuna around.

What size tank is he in and what tankmates?

 

[Miki]

Hes in a 180ltr with mostly tetras, silver dollars, gouramis and other fish way smaller than him. He contents himself with digging little tunnels which my plec moves into so he goes of to dig another home.
No idea how old he is or how long hes been there as I just got the tank a month ago complete with fish.

I kind of knew what he was but I was hoping I was wrong the colour thing threw me.

 

[Ferris]

Yep - not a community fish i'm afraid. Probably best to re-home him sooner rather than later.

Not easy i know - i hate doing it.