New West/Central African dwarf cichlid in my collection

[Fruitbat]

For those of you who are interested in some of the African cichlids besides those found in the Rift Lakes, here is one of a pair of Nanochromis transvestitus that I picked up at a favorite LFS a couple of days ago.

The specific name transvestitus refers to that fact that in this species, unlike most other cichlids, it is the female that is more colorful and has a more striking pattern. They come from Ndombe Lake (Lake Leopold II) and the Congo River system.

This one is probably a male and is about 1 1/2 inches long. The other fish is smaller but has significantly more pattern in the tail...so it is probably a female.

-Joe

 

[Managuense]

nice fish.

are these guys sympatric with the "lion head" cichlids? (S. casuarius)

i like to see people keeping cichlids of the more rare variety.
M

 

[Fruitbat]

I imagine that they can probably be found in the same general area. Steatocranus causarius is found in the Malebo Pool (formerly known as the Stanley Pool) and throughout the lower Congo River system.

I've always had a 'soft spot' for the African river dwarf cichlids. The same LFS had in some Pelvicachromis rubrolabiatus which I've NEVER seen available around here before but they had a mild case of 'ick' so I didn't buy any. If they make it through the infestation I'll pick up a pair of those as well.

-Joe

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Good looking fish.

Yeah mana, i wish i could find some "odd balls" around here. I would surely take them in.

 

[Orion]

Nice little fish you have there.

If it does not come from Lake Malawi at my LFS, then it is an odd ball. (Minus the occasional Oscar and JD)

 

[phOOey]

Nice fish, good photography aswell