Iamadamtm Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Gday guysI bought this guy when i first started my tank 2 yrs ago from a local pet shop. He is definatly the boss of my tank but the only one that i have not positively identified as he was bought as a "mixed cichlid" . I think he is a Red Zebra (Metriaclima estherae) but i would love a second opinion.Please let me know what you think. And the sex of the fish would help too.Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LithoMan Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 HiHow many did you buy of that orange colour ?And if you bought a few did the others ever change colour ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I'm thinking Lombardoifemales and fry are blue and males start tochange colour about 6cm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFishkeeper Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Yeah, I was thinking maybe Lombardoi also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamadamtm Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 When i bought it it was orange and about 4cm. it was the only one at there.It is now approximatly 12cm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosco Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I would have thought it was a lombardi as well it doesn't really have that zebra profile. CheersRosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LithoMan Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 but at 4cm ? already orange hmmmthis is why under mixed cichlids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamadamtm Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks for all your help guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ged Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I agree the colouring, shape and behaviour would indicate Lombardoi but I always have concerns when they have been in a mixed tank. Does it show any barring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamadamtm Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Nah, it doesn't have any sign of barring on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I'm guessing it could have been in a tank ofjuiced mixed malawisthese were usually brought in from asia as peacocksbut could have anything in them and were pumped witha colour food like White Crane so they showed male colourat 4-5cm sizeanything listed as mixed tank is a warning sign the only other thing I can think of is Ps. barlowi as the femalesare a dirty colour and males go golden yellow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawi sand diver Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Another one to consider is Metriclima sp. 'Kingsizei Lupingu' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamadamtm Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 Thanks again guys, Im happy keeping it a mystery, and just calling him mango.I go to a proper aqarium now so i know what im getting, no more "assorted cichlids" for me.Will my red empress ever lose his black stripe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Yes the Red Empress will lose the black stripe as it gets olderand especially if he has femalesyou don't mention a size but I'm guessing he's about 7-8cm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamadamtm Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Spot on, he is about 8cm.And I wanna get him a harem, but have to find some first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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