Any help with identities??

[FishGeek]

I have 4 African Cichlids and I dont know what they are. One of them is blue with no stripes or other markings. One is whiteish with verticle black stripes over entire body. Another is Yellowish orange with no stipes or other markings. And the last one is brownish yellow (looks like highlights) with about 6 verticle black srtipes just behind the gills. Any Ideas?? Sorry that I dont have pics. I will soon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Orion]

Sounds like it could be quite a few different fish from just your description. Hard to say without any pictures.

 

[discus4everGrl]

look in the fish profiles under cichlids. You might find them in there.

 

[FishGeek]

http://www.aquaria.info/modules.php...ase&file=fishspecies&taxclassid=5&brackish=N&
The yellow/orange one is a Red Zebra.

 

[straitjacket]

I'm just gonna send you links to pics of fish that I'm familiar with that fit your description. They might not be correct and the best way to ID them would be to get pics of them posted.

1. Blue with no stripes or other markings
Sounds like M. callainos.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=787

2. Whitish with black vertical stripes
Sounds like a female M. lombardoi.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=798

3. Yellow/orange with no stripes or markings
Sounds like M. estherae.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1729
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730

4. Brownish yellow with 6 vertical black stripes
Sounds like a male M. lombardoi.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=798

Hope that helps.

 

[Exevious]

how common are cross breeds??
I have grown very curious about this....
At the petsmart, petco, and lfs store I always see a generic 'mixed cichlid tank' with cheaper pricing.... but I will see fish that I would assume should be sorted into species specific tanks.

I figured maybe they were cross breeds.. and have been nervious about purchasing them.

I wonder if you might have cross breeds.

 

[Miles44]

Hybrids are disturbingly common. The only way I could let myself buy any fish from an "assorted African" tank would be if I knew exactly what I was looking for and the fish in the tank fit the standard of what that fish should look like perfectly. Otherwise stay away from any "socolofi" with heavy barring or that are missing a black edged fin, any "Kenyi" with too many bars, any cobalts with any slight barring, etc.
You're better off purchasing from someone who knows exactly what they're carrying.

 

[FishGeek]

The blue one is right but that is it. I have a Blue Cobalt. Thanks.