YAL05T Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I have some Metriaclima sp. "slim/compact zebra" OB, which I have also seen labelled as "blueberry compact". I have read that Ad Konings recognises the species as coming from Higga Reef. I was going to bring some to the auction, but I have heard others say that what I bought as a true species is a hybrid. Any other keepers thoughts and others ideas would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benfarrow Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Just like in my rant (cichlid discussion "my rant"), you will always have this problem every time a new fish is brought into the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 The auction program will not have a photo or any info for this fish. You will need to provide it to the Cichlid Society if you want to have a better chance of them selling at auction, Provided of course, the NSWCS allows them to be sold. You may have to provide the club with any info that supports the fact they are a true species, not that I am doubting, but it will save issues on the day Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 Cheers Josh. I am going to try and get some decent photos of them to add to this topic and I might pm some of the society guys too with all the info I can put together on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I was under the impression they were from Mbamba Bay Island, is that the same as or similar to Higga Reef? I'm pretty sure it's a similar part of lake Malawi, but I could be wrong. Some photo's would be awesome. Do they have darker stripes or more of a spangle blue/marmalade pattern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 They are all OB, the males have an amazing blue sheen over them, the females I have are showing a more orange tendency. I ended up with 2 males and 4 females from the 7 I bought, one didnt make it to adult hood, I think it was killed by the alpha male as they were very close in size growing out. I think mbamba bay and higga reef are quite close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 They are all OB, the males have an amazing blue sheen over them, the females I have are showing a more orange tendency. I ended up with 2 males and 4 females from the 7 I bought, one didnt make it to adult hood, I think it was killed by the alpha male as they were very close in size growing out. I think mbamba bay and higga reef are quite close. So when you say you were thinking about bringing some to the NSWCS Auction are you talking about fry or adults? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 I was going to bring fry, but I just found out I am going to be away with work over the october long weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbuna Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 As far as i am aware they are are a valid species from mbamba. Males have the blue/ black bars in the their normal colouration but a high percentage obtain the OB or 'marmalade cat' colouring. Females are mostly OB but can also be the silver/grey colour. They have been in the hobby for a long while and i believe they were crossed with an Aulonacara spp. to get the marble peacock hybrid. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Okay seriously this is the best I can get of these pains in the butt, they are the most camera shy and stupidly fast fish I have ever tried to get a pic of. I am looking to relocate the colony into a larger tank as I have added to the number so I might toss one into one of Matt's fry savers and use it as a photo booth. Cheers, Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0oks Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Last time i saw one was an adult ob male about 4 years ago! Very stunning fish. Where did you source yours from? Its a shame to see these guys fade away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 An old bloke up here sold some fry to a mate of mine when he owned black pearl aquarium. We just held on to them and were lucky enough to end up with 2 males and 5 females, one new female from the first batch has been added. We have managed to get around 30-40 juvies to the 4-5cm mark now and are looking to sell some on to help keep them about. And yes m0oks, you are top of the list to get some juvies Cheers, Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobbin4 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Hi Brett, This is a Metriaclima sp ,,,,, not a Marble peacock that Mbuna is talking about is it not?. Marble peacock is a cross (Hybird) but the Mel is not ?? Correct me if I'm wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Blotched Zebra are a valid species and have been around a long time but like Esterae (Tangerine Zebra) they tended to fade away Blueberry was a trade name they were given in US so it followed out here because a change in trade name is always a good jump start when sales slow down at least with the blue blotch being male and the orange blotch female they are easy to sexI always preferred the more solid blotches than the peppered lighter blotching Yes these were hybridized with Aulonacara to produce OB Peacocks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobbin4 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Is this the fish?? One of the “marmalade cats”, this male Metriaclima zebra from Manda (Tanzania) has an interesting “blueberry” pattern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanke Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 hi i found this on the blueberry look at this http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1464 Scientific Name: Metriaclima sp. "Zebra Blue" Common Name(s): Blueberry it may or may not help with it yanke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.