P. subocellatus "Lukullu"

[anakonda]

I am picking up my old hobby again.. I got a pair of these fishes years and years ago. They came from Aquarium Rio (owned by Mr. Bleher i think) with the name subocellatus "Lukullu". Is this completely same fish as subocellatus "Matadi"? Anybody know where (what?) is Lukullu?

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis subocellatus

Hello Anakonda,

I haven't the foggiest what Pelvicachromis subocellatus "Lukullu" is, but it sounds like a rank H. Bleherism. He did a lot of collecting and made up a lot of names, when he wasn't in jail.

The fish depicted in your photo looks just like P. subocellatus "Moanda" to me...a very pretty fish.

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[anakonda]

Ok, thanks. I thought it's Matadi form because i have a poster from same company where is a photograph by Linke. Picture is labelled subocellatus "Lukullu". It's the same fish as in the "Buntbarsche aus Westafrika" book, and it happens to be the Matadi fish.
I tried to understand with my bad german what the book says about identification these forms. I can't really tell with my experience.. What are the main characteristics making this fish look more like Moanda form?
I try find some old slides if i could find more photos of this fish.
I already ordered Lamboj's book, can't wait to get it!

 

[tjudy]

I am sure that the subocellatus is like all the other west africans in that if the name of the collection site is known then that is the name it is given... regardless of what it may also be.

The picture is a bit rough, but I concur with Randall that is probalby a moanda-type because of the pearl scales above the belly and the ocellations in the top of the caudal fin.

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis subocellatus

Hello Anakonda,

Both Moanda and Matadi are situated in the lower Congo River drainage. Moanda is on the Atlantic coast, while Matadi is found further inland. The Pelvicachromis subocellatus from both of these areas are populations of the same species, but females exhibit a somewhat different coloration.

Both Moanda and Matadi females exhibit a bright reddish belly, especially when sexually active, that is surrounded by an irridescent silvery or yellowish-gold band. It appears, however, that this band is more pronounced on the females from Moanda.

Checking my map, Lukula is situated about halfway between Moanda to the west and Matadi to the east, but is about 50 km further north. I don't know if the P. subocellatus from this location are considered more "Moanda-like" or more "Matadi-like," but perhaps it really doesn't matter much.

I call the fish depicted in your photo Moanda due to the highly pronounced irridescent band surrounding the red belly, but it is hard to tell from just one photo. If you know for sure that this fish was collected in or around Lukula, then perphaps it's best to call it P. subocellatus "Lukula."

By any name, P. subocellatus is a beautiful fish, isn't it?

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[anakonda]

Thanks, with all that information i feel like a subocellatus expert already.
Yes this fish is very beautiful and the combination of pinkish red and black is outstanding! The female is probably the most colorful of all dwarf cichlids. I will try to get them again.

 

[Ariel]

Lukullu

Hi Everyone,

I was speaking to Steve White earlier, and brought up the issue of subocellatus "Lukullu." He immediately recognized the name and remembered it being the first (or one of the first) location of subocellatus to be introduced to the hobby by Heiko Bleher about 10-15 years ago.
He said that he is going to look into the location (neither one of us could recall exactly where it is), and might have even more info. from a tape of one of Heiko's talks, if he can find it.

Anakonda, where are you located?

Ariel B.

 

[anakonda]

Hi Ariel, i am from Finland, quite far...

Your website is great!!

Antti

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis subocellatus

Hi Ariel, i am from Finland, quite far...

Your website is great!!

Antti

Hello Antti and all,

Yes, Ariel's web site is great indeed! I refer to it constantly. Perhaps with a little peer pressure, our Ariel will post the additional photos that he is hiding on his site.

In a conversation with Toyin Ojo, a prominent distributor of western African fishes, earlier today, he informs that the Pelvicachromis subocellatus "Moanda" he recently imported were actually collected in or around Boma. Boma is situated on the south side of the Congo River, a short distance west of Matadi.

As Ted noted earlier in this thread, be they Pelvicachromis subocellautus "Monanda, "Matadi," "Lukula" or "Boma," all are the same fish that superficially differ in coloration. Toyin seems to share the same opinion, from his experience.

Thanks all!

Randall Kohn