Types / Colours Of Malawi Cichlid

[chopsunst]

I own 2 Malawi Cichlids, one stark yellow with a strong black strip in his dorsal fin, and the other dark and light green in a camo pattern and a dark fin with a white tip along the top. I heard the latter is a different kind of Malawi and hunts by lying low and pretending to be a leaf or something then pouncing. This anywhere near true? Are they at all different or just different colours?
regards

 

[dthoffsett]

The first one sounds like Labidochromis caeruleus one of the mbuna species from Lake Malawi. Not sure on the other one, any chance of a pic?

There are three main groups of cichlids in Lake Malawi, mbuna (literally means rock-dwelling), peacocks (named for the brightly colored males), and haps (all the left over species, but mostly open water). Each group has their own feeding/setup requirements and have varying levels of aggression, though as a general rule mbuna are the most aggressive of the three.

 

[chopsunst]

Thanks for the reply. Here's a pic of the little fella (or lady???)

http/s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb273/c...nt=DSC00351.jpg

Sorry I'm a little confused, which one of the 3 types was my yellow one? If I were to add more, is there any you reccomend, or I should avoid? My tank is approx 120 litres with a couple of java fern and various rocks/caves.

regards

 

[chopsunst]

I've done some more research and I THINK the camo one might be a young Nimbochromis Livingstonii, everything seems to match. Could anyone possibly clarify based on the picture? Is it going to be mayhem when they grow up?

Again, what about other tankmates?

cheers

 

[dthoffsett]

It looks more like a young Nimbochromis venustus to me. They reach around 10" and belong to the hap group. Your yellow fish (Labidochromis caeruleus) belongs to the mbuna group. Unfortunately neither of them are suitable for your tank, as the mbuna require a minimum 4ft tank and the N.venustus would need at least a 6ft.

Your tank however would be suitable for cichlids from Lake Tanganikya or some of the African riverine species.