Need help IDing

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

I bought a pair of what was sold to me as A. nijsenni
However, I do not think this is what it is.
Can anyone help me ID this fish?

I know its not the best picture - the fish wasn't cooperating.

 

[tjudy]

That is not an Apistogramma, though it is a beautiful and fun to keep fish. They are sold under the common name od 'rainbow cichlid'. For the life of me I cannot remember the scientific name (which is really, really odd for me). Something multispinosa? :?

They are, in my opinion, dwarf cichlids. They breed very easily, and the spawning coloration is really cool. They pair turns black in the body.

The only downside I have experienced with this fish is their love of tender plants. I discovered this when running a store and I placed 10 of them in a tank with some Rotala... an hour later all I had were stems! :lol:

It is not njsseni... but they are very nice fish.

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Herotilapia multispinosa
I got vanboozled. I knew I should have waiting for that Apisto book
I ordered before I went around trying to buy some. Oh well,
some research into this species makes me want to keep it. I'd really
like to see the spawning coloration - sounds gorgeous!

 

[tjudy]

That's it! Herotilapia.. I remember now that I thought it odd that a New World fish would have any form of 'tilapia' in the name.

 

[Randall]

Herotilapia multispinosa

If that fish is a Herotilapia multispinosa, it's the most colorful one I've ever seen! Ghazanfar, please send fry!

Randall Kohn

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Well thank you for making me feel better about my mistake
The pair seems to be eating well, though the male is still a little
shy. At 2.5" I think they still have a little growing up to do - but you
never know. Convicts spawned when they were a mere 1". Then
again - those were convicts.
Will keep you posted for sure!

BTW - I'm already seeing they're love for plants. The frogbit has
several bite shaped holes now!

 

[apistodave]

Very nice little guy I'll take some fry too!