New Malawis

[becs66]

I have just got a second hand malawi setup that came complete with fish and I'm a little unsure of what some of the species are! I was told that the tank contained the following: Melanchromis auratus, Pseudotropheus zebra blue, Iodotropheus sprengerae, Sciaenochromis ahli, Cyontiliapia Afra.

I just wanted to check that these species are correct as I wish to swap some fish and keep others dependant on their aggressiveness.

First, is this indeed Melanchromis auratus:

 

[becs66]

This Pseudo zebra?

 

[becs66]

This Iodotropheus sprengerae???

 

[becs66]

This Sciaenochromis ahli

 

[becs66]

And finally this is the one that seems most unlike any pictures I can find on the net, is this really Cyontiliapia Afra as I was advised???

 

[fish_r_great]

I think the last is a pseudo carmelo? If not it might be a malawi something or other carmelo

 

[becs66]

And if anyone in the area would like to adopt any of these fine fishes or a large RTBS or lonely clown loach then they're yours for the taking as I have far to many in this tank at the moment!!

 

[Mogo]

The first pic is the auratus

The second pic looks like a female ahli to me

In the third pic, the fish that is hiding under the rock looks like it's the zebra, but could be the afra, would have to see more of it to be sure.

I'm sure someone else will be along to help with the id's.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

That is not a cynotilapia afra, and that is not Iodotropheus sprengerae.

 

[becs66]

Any ideas what they are???!!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Afra:

Sprengerae:

 

[thecichlidaddict]

The 'Afra' looks like a Melanochromis of some sort - Melanopterus perhaps, or a lightly coloured Auratus. It the picure pretty accurate?

The other seems very pale. I don't recognise it.

Did any of them come from a 'mixed african' tank at the store?

 

[becs66]

Yeah the picture is accurate, there's a few of them and they do seem to be distinct from the auratus, in behaviour aswell as colouration. All the fish came along with the second hand setup that's why I don't really know whats what as the vendor wouldn't just give me the tank!! I believe she bred all the fish herself.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

BTW, S. Ahli is rare, hard to find, and expensive. If anything I'm sure it is S. Fryeri (to most people they look exactly the same)

 

[fish_r_great]

Sry this might be the last one pseudo crabro