Fish identification 1/5

[baotchi]

Aloha cichlid experts

I bought 5 new outstanding (IMO) fish yesterday, and since the guy at the LFS wasn't 100% sure of all the species (because they sometimes jump from tank to tank and some other reasons) I would like you to help me identify them. As far as I know, I got a Microchromis, a Perlmutt, an Electric Blue Ali, and 2 others that I don't know. I'll post all 5 fishes to show them to you. Here is the first one which I have not a clue about the name. Those are 6 pics of the same fish.

Thank you very much and tell me if you need more pics to help the identification. It is for sure an african cichlid, and I took the pictures with no flash while he was under a Power Glo.

Simon

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Well it being 2am here i'm gonna have to really take a guess in the morning.

But i am sure its a Mbuna.

 

[baotchi]

might it be the socolofi? it's an mbuna

Mbuna Socolofi


Simon

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I don't think its a Socolofi. They tend to be pretty much a clean blue even from juvi stage. You usually can't see bars on them and you can see black on their fins.

hmmm i guess it could be Pseudotropheus saulosi in early stages of color transforming, male? Here is a picture of a male transforming from cichlid-forum.com http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/Pse_saulosi_05.jpg

 

[Kyle]

Beautiful fish.

Could it be this
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/estherae.htm
or this
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/socolofi.htm

 

[baotchi]

thanks Kyle, but I look at them and I look at my fish here, and no I don't think it is none of those 2.


Thanks

Simon

 

[iridescentkid]

i think its a convict isnt it???

 

[lilcam]

You have a Cynotilapia afra. I also have one but mine is a male and yours look to be like a female! Man i wanna see if I can find a mating partner for mine!

Anyways, here's some more info.

http://www.african-cichlid.com/AfraCobue.htm

 

[baotchi]

iridescentkid, nope... there no way it's a convict...

lilcam, it might be just what you say! These are the more ressembling pics I've seen to date.. thanks alot.

I keep searching tho, because I still ain't 100% sure...


Simon

 

[iridescentkid]

ok thx 4 correcting me

 

[lilcam]

baotchi - I'm pretty sure that's what you have. It looks like the fishes found on that page I linked for you.

I just wish I can find another one that is a female. Males have more dominant color.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Agree with lilcam.....nice job.

It looks like this one from that link.

 

[baotchi]

You may be right guys... My girlfriend thinks the same thing about it being a Cynotilapia Afra, but not a Cobue like on the pictures on your site. She says it looks more like an other kind of Afra she found on a website she can't find anymore hehe...

I still think it's a Socolofi... Maybe not. I just ain't 100% sure yet

That is a Socolofi, and IMO my fish looks more like it than the other ones... But I keep looking, and I thank you alot!

Simon

 

[oscarowner559]

I think it is a cobalt blue from lake malawi.mbuna..I have 2 myself.

 

[lilcam]

baotchi - It can't be the Socolofi due to the stripes going down the side of the fish.