Asst Chillids?

[flr410]

I went to the pet store and saw some fish that they had labeled as assorted chilids, they were blue, yellow, a albino color  Exactly what kind of fish are these, I'm trying to get information on them so that I can buy them, thanks for the help.

 

[aznpanther98]

they're african cichlids, if it's the yellow ones with a black line on top of it's fins they're electric yellows and thedark blue ones might be electric blues cichlids forget what they're scientific names are but those "assorted cichlids"are africans and they need a high ph level other cichlids like oscars and convicts are south americans and need a lower ph i've been thinkin about getting africans but not sure yet still got a 45gal beggin for me to setupbut i've been so busy with school and work it's gonna be a while also dunno where to put it yet already got 4 tanks all over the house lol

 

[luvfishies]

Those are probably Lake Malawi Mbuna. If you don't have at least a 45g I would NOT get them. They are aggressive, herbivorous, kind of picky about CLEAN water, and just not a fish to get into without a decent amount or research. As stated, they prefer a higher pH (7.8-8.2) and KH (8-11) and GH (11 or so). Not to say that's what they HAVE to have if they are acclimated to where you are already...but...that's what they originated in in the wild.

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/

http://www.malawicichlids.com/

http://www.vatoelvis.com/

Some good sites...I especially like Vatoelvis site.

 

[flr410]

Thanks for the site I'll take a look at it, I love the color of these guys, when I first saw them I thought they were salt water. =)

 

[wayne]

They sound like malawi cichlids, but you shouldn't buy them.  Assorted cichlids means you won't know what they are - they might be pure cichlids, they might be hybrids.  What's wrong with that ?- well any that you breed you won't be able to sell, but that will be the least of your problems.  Hybrids are weaker usually than purebreds, they are often hyperaggressive and are just a p.i.t.a.  Also malawi cichlids have varying levels of aggression , and not all mix well at all (even within just mbuna) - putting 2 (even 1)melanochromis in any tank less than 100 gallons is asking for fish death, but you won't know it, because who knows what you've got.
Malawis are beautiful, interesting fish, and I love mine.  But I would never buy 'asst malawi' I couldn't id 100% - every time I've seen them for sale they've always been someone elses rubbish - lots of big, hyperaggressive males, unpopular species, poor condition and too many hybrids.  Why buy rubbish - there are plenty of good quality fish for sale that will prove much easier to keep very quickly.
 Having said that there's a shop locally that had an 8 inch frontosa in with misc S Am cichlids!

 

[flr410]

sadly no frontosa's near me.