need some help i.d.ing this fish
- Thread starter kappy
- Start date
One of two possibilities. My first guess would be Astatotilapia latifaciata but that's only because Haplochromis oblequedens[/I] is extinct in the wild and *SUPER RARE* in captivity. It does seem to have the right facial structure though...
Either way, both Lake Victoria Haplochromines (or close enough... A. latifaciata is in a satalite lake that is only seperated by a small sand bar). IMO, there is a lot of responsibility in owning Victorian species, most are either extinct or endangered in the wild...
Could you get some more pic's please? Preferably clear close up's if at all possible.
Chris
Either way, both Lake Victoria Haplochromines (or close enough... A. latifaciata is in a satalite lake that is only seperated by a small sand bar). IMO, there is a lot of responsibility in owning Victorian species, most are either extinct or endangered in the wild...
Could you get some more pic's please? Preferably clear close up's if at all possible.
Chris
Beautiful fish. Since this fish is critically endangered in the wild, I would have to ask where you got it from as that source may be further endangering it by catching it in the wild then selling them in the aquarium trade. Make sure you know how to properly care for them (please please please tell me your tank is cycled, it looks really crowded) and if you can spawn them, that'd probably be even better. If you aren't an experienced fish keeper, please consider giving them to someone that is and can properly care for them and house them due to their endangered status.
MissFishy,
A. Latifasciata is quite commonly bred in captivity (thankfully lol
)
So here in lies the problem... this it the results from a Google Image search for H. obliquidens: Haplochromis obliquidens - Google Image Search If you look close there's at least a handful of different species. Also Fishbase is kinda letting me down, they don't have a pic on the species page... BUT I am going to say, for the most part they do appear to be A. latifasciata. Something about the face is kinda throwing me though... Could just be breeding, because they haven't had any imports for a LONG time (at least not legally because they are internationally red listed) AND because responsible breeding programs are few and far between some "deformaties" have almost become common place and accepted.
Kappy,
to expand on what MissFishy said, how much experiance do you have? And how much effort are you willing to put into them? BTW, I don't judge. As with all fish I encourage proper responsible fish keeping but when talking about Red Listed species I do like to *encourage* that even more and proper, responsible breeding (forwarning... to me that goes hand in hand with culling...). SOoooo, while I would understand if you are simply looking to have some "nice" fish, if you aren't interested in the conservation side of things I would also encourage finding someone who is and perhaps working out a deal. That could consist of them spawning them and giving you "pick of the litter" or any number of other possiblities.
If you are interested in the conservation, there are a number of organizations out there working with Lake Victoria and I would suggest looking for information reguarding the Eutrification, Mass Extinctions, and introduction of the Nile Perch to the Lake. There is also a VERY good book from Barron (costs about $10 cnd) called "Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids" ( Amazon.com: Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual): Mark Smith: Books ) and I found it to be more than satisfactory for beginner (and intermediate) information.
LOL, Can ya tell I have a soft spot for Vic's?
Chris
A. Latifasciata is quite commonly bred in captivity (thankfully lol
) So here in lies the problem... this it the results from a Google Image search for H. obliquidens: Haplochromis obliquidens - Google Image Search If you look close there's at least a handful of different species. Also Fishbase is kinda letting me down, they don't have a pic on the species page... BUT I am going to say, for the most part they do appear to be A. latifasciata. Something about the face is kinda throwing me though... Could just be breeding, because they haven't had any imports for a LONG time (at least not legally because they are internationally red listed) AND because responsible breeding programs are few and far between some "deformaties" have almost become common place and accepted.
Kappy,
to expand on what MissFishy said, how much experiance do you have? And how much effort are you willing to put into them? BTW, I don't judge
. As with all fish I encourage proper responsible fish keeping but when talking about Red Listed species I do like to *encourage* that even more and proper, responsible breeding (forwarning... to me that goes hand in hand with culling...). SOoooo, while I would understand if you are simply looking to have some "nice" fish, if you aren't interested in the conservation side of things I would also encourage finding someone who is and perhaps working out a deal. That could consist of them spawning them and giving you "pick of the litter" or any number of other possiblities. If you are interested in the conservation, there are a number of organizations out there working with Lake Victoria and I would suggest looking for information reguarding the Eutrification, Mass Extinctions, and introduction of the Nile Perch to the Lake. There is also a VERY good book from Barron (costs about $10 cnd) called "Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids" ( Amazon.com: Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual): Mark Smith: Books ) and I found it to be more than satisfactory for beginner (and intermediate) information.
LOL, Can ya tell I have a soft spot for Vic's?
Chris