Need Help With Melanochromis Auratus

[bluedollars]

alright so i did all my research on this fish and decided to go to my local pet store...i picked up three females...no problem there...put them in my tank and they love it...

so i went back...and now it was time for a male...

i told the guy the species i wanted and that i was specifically looking for a male...he brought me over to the tank where they were kept and scooped out this fellow here (listed under the species on ONE site i managed to find) http/tropicalfishgallery.com/species-gal...ale_auratus.jpg

now i know they look like this http/tropicalfishgallery.com/species-gal...iles/male_a.jpg
so i told the guy it wasnt the right fish...he insisted it was and i decided to take the fish because i have always trusted the guy since its a family owned business...

have i been fooled?

 

[kribensis12]

Can you post the pics on photobucket because I am getting a page that says 403 Forbidden so I cant veiw it. Males can be black or blue, but to be sure I would need a pic.

 

[bluedollars]

sure just a minute

i only thought they came in this color...

this isnt a picture of my guy but this is what he looks like...is it a Melanochromis Auratus...and if so why is it that every site i looked on said they only come in black

the two look completely different...but with the females they all have the same basic color and pattern

 

[kribensis12]

It probably is, but it might also be a electric blue jhohanni( spelled wrong). Did all the others look like that?

 

[bluedollars]

yes...there were no others that resembled that fish

i took a look at the electric blue johanni in a google search...and no def not because the face is completely different on the johanni

 

[kribensis12]

I would say that it was a Auratus, but pm ferries the pics and he will be pin-point on.

 

[bluedollars]

thanks a lot...youve been a lot of help..

 

[kribensis12]

Your welcome!

 

[mark7616]

The fish in the bottom pic is a melanochromis cyaneorhabdos common name maingano its looks very simular to the melanochromis johanni but the maingano is alot more placid compared to the johanni but it def isnt an auratus.
Check these out:

Auratus http/www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/species.php?id=750

maingano http/www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/species.php?id=756

johanni http/www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/species.php?id=760

 

[Ferris]

The fish in the bottom pic is a melanochromis cyaneorhabdos

Spot on.

 

[bluedollars]

thanks guys...damn guy ive trusted was wrong...well i like this fish and since he hasnt caused any trouble in my tank i will keep him and maybe TRY to find him a girl or two...thanks a lot for the help!