Not sure about these...

[chromis]

Hi there

I have acquired a group of these fish and the guy in the shop told me they are Egyptian Mouthbrooders. Although they are in the same tank as the ones I recognised to be Egyptian Mouthbrooders, these are around 3 times the size and do not have any gold scales. Can anyone confirm what they are?

Thanks!
chromis

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/978559/newfish.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/978559/newfish003.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/978559/newfish002.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/978559/newfish006.JPG

 

[_BaDgUy_]

Thare are different species of Pseudocrenilabrus fish, commonly known as Egyptian mouthbrooders.


Seems to be the least colorful of them, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor, but I'm not 100% sure of this.

 

[tjudy]

Do Pseudocrinalibrus species show the tilapia spot in the dorsal like these do? I think that they are a Tilapia of some sort.

 

[Fogelhund]

It does appear to be a Tilapian of some variety. I'm not that good with Tilapian's though.

 

[chromis]

I'm glad that someone said it might be Tilapia as I have thought of that the moment I saw them in the tank. Their spot is very conspicuous.

They seem to be very curious and are not nervous at all. Their hue changes depending on their mood from pale silver with the spot very prominent to the dark grey/green markings. I think the dark colour signify that they are more dominant and comfortable. At the moment they are around 2" excluding the tail. Also their heads aren't as big (in proportion to their bodies) as Egyptian Mouthbrooders which led me to believe that they are not what they have been labelled.

 

[chromis]

Anyone have any info on the ID of these fish?

 

[chromis]

Well, it appears tonight that a pair have spawned. I can now see a definite female from the group holding eggs. Still not sure of what kind of fish these are though.

 

[chromis]

One of the fish - the obvious dominant one - has turned a different colour. Picture is below. Can anyone recognise this fish now?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-3/978559/fish.JPG

 

[mbhw]

Tilapia

Oreochromis sp.

It's hard to say at that size, they remind me of my old Niloticus, they could also be Mossambicus, or aurea. Either way, I hope you have a big tank!

 

[Randall]

Oreochromis sp.

Hello Chromis,

They resemble an Oreochromis sp. to me too. Like mbhw suggests, however, it's difficult to know which species.

I hope you have a big tank!

A bathtub is more like it!

Good luck!

Randall Kohn