Name That Cynotilapia!

[denis coghlan]

Up until about two weeks ago I thought that the sex ratio of my afra cobue was 1:2. One of the females had already produced a brood but the other female sprung a surprise! Not only was it not a female but it also wasn't a cobue. In the last week it is constantly showing dominant colouration but the problem is that it has a very similar colour scheme as my elongatus mpanga and as a result is taking a constant beating. This fish has been in my tank for a good few months and I have only noticed this now, it just shows you how a sub-dominant male can hide its true identity away.

I had a look in the Ad konings bible of malawi cichlids and the best I can come up with is Cynotilapia afra (Jalo Reef), but the marking just seem a little different. I just wanted to pick peoples brains on here if they though that it might be something different?

 

[Nick Sw]

I think it`s highly likely a Jalo, they are quiet common in the hobby and it looks a good match.

I`ve had real problems with sub dom males as well, it can be a nighmare , it can be best to spearate the dom male and see if any other fish colours up or have a look at the fish with the lights out when they can be more confident showing male colouring. More often than not you sort of know something just isn`t quiet right.

 

[Ferris]

Jalo reef looks right to me too - it's just a little "plump" which throws you off at 1st.

 

[denis coghlan]

Yeah he is a bit of a fatty! But then again in comparison to some other mbuna cynotilapia species are kind of short and fat!

Just out of curiosity! Is there a common name for these fellas, I think I remember reading somewhere that they are also referred to as Cynotilapia afra "red dorsal". I could be wrong though!