Identification requested

[lynzor]

I was at my LFS and saw this Mbuna cichlid carrying. No idea what kind she is, she was in the assorted cichlid tank. But she was real pretty, so I had to have her. Got her in a breeder box now, keeps my other cichlids from bothering her or eating the babies when they hatch. Thought it was just eggs at first, but this morning I saw the babies swimming around. Won't be long now till she releases them. Took some pics, maybe someone can help ID her. Flash brings out her true colors.

[lentoa]

It's probably a safe bet they'll be hybrids, especially since she came from a mixed tank with no males of the same species around. You can score some good deals from mixed species tanks if you know what you're getting yourself into, but personally I wouldn't bother keeping the babies.

[dazed_knots]

That's pretty interesting, seeing the babies already, this is gonna be kinda cool.

[lynzor]

I'm still trying to figure out what she is. I remember there were a bunch of other cichlids in the tank with her - some seveflakes that looked kinda like her, a couple of red zebras, a bumblebee, and a yellow lab. The store gets new shipments every Friday, and I know I didn't see her the week before, so maybe she came in with some other males. I'm thinking maybe she was bred at the supplier's place or something. Anyway, I'm gonna keep the babies, I'm pretty excited to see how they turn out.

[dazed_knots]

I think it'd be pretty awesome to keep the babies and raise 'em, see how they turn out.

[waveborn]

It would be cool to keep them and raise them. I'm thinking if you do keep them, just make sure to keep them for yourself and not sell them, since they're probably hybrids. I mean, there's no way to know who the dad is, so it's best to assume they're hybrids. Some cichlid keepers can get pretty worked up about keeping pure breeds.

As for the ID, I'm having a bit of trouble. I think there might be some cobalt zebra in there, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm not super great at identifying cichlids, except for the ones I'm really familiar with.

One possibility could be a variation of Metriaclima Callainos, or maybe a M. Greshakei, but it's a long shot. Honestly, I'm thinking the mom is probably a hybrid herself, so I'm going to take a guess and say Muttotropheus Zebra.

[lynzor]

That's pretty interesting, seeing the babies already, this is gonna be kinda cool.

I had a hunch she might be cobalt zebra, but I didn't wanna sound clueless if I was wrong. I just thought she was real pretty and wanted her for myself. I'm not planning on selling the babies, just gonna keep them as pets.

[dazed_knots]

Looks like she's got some zebra in her, I'm pretty sure of it, maybe cobalt zebra, but I don't know for sure, that's why I was hoping someone could help me out.

[waveborn]

I was at my LFS and saw this Mbuna cichlid carrying. No idea what kind she is, she was in the assorted cichlid tank. But she was real pretty, so I had to have her. Got her in a breeder box now, keeps my other cichlids from bothering her or eating the babies when they hatch. Thought it was just eggs at first, but this morning I saw the babies swimming around. Won't be long now till she releases them. Took some pics, maybe someone can help ID her. Flash brings out her true colors.

She's definitely pretty. I was thinking cobalt zebra too but didn't wanna say it in case I was wrong. I'm not selling the babies, just keeping them as my own. I just thought she was gorgeous and had to have her. You're probably right, she could have a ton of babies - I've heard anywhere from 15 to 50. I'll be prepared if I'm gonna keep them. That breeder box is getting a bit small for her, I might have to separate the babies and let her swim free.

[lynzor]

I was at my LFS and saw this Mbuna cichlid carrying. No idea what kind she is, she was in the assorted cichlid tank. But she was real pretty, so I had to have her. Got her in a breeder box now, keeps my other cichlids from bothering her or eating the babies when they hatch. Thought it was just eggs at first, but this morning I saw the babies swimming around. Won't be long now till she releases them. Took some pics, maybe someone can help ID her. Flash brings out her true colors.

I'm gonna move her to a 10 gallon I have spare when I get home, just till she spits. I'm getting a 75 gallon next weekend so I'll have plenty of room for her and the babies, plus the ones I already have.