Help with cichlid identification

[fluffa]

Can you guys help identify my cichlids?

[coltin]

From what I can tell, the yellow one with stripes appears to be a male Pseudotropheus Lombardoi, while the blue one with stripes seems to be a female P. lombardoi. The black fish with a white line is likely a Pseudotropheus auratus. The white fish, I'd say, is probably an albino Pseudotropheus zebra. Then there's the yellow fish without stripes, which looks like a yellow zebra to me.

As they mature, these fish can get quite aggressive, and having both males and females will only make things more challenging, especially when they breed.

[fluffa]

From what I can tell, the yellow one with stripes appears to be a male Pseudotropheus Lombardoi, while the blue one with stripes seems to be a female P. lombardoi. The black fish with a white line is likely a Pseudotropheus auratus. The white fish, I'd say, is probably an albino Pseudotropheus zebra. Then there's the yellow fish without stripes, which looks like a yellow zebra to me.

As they mature, these fish can get quite aggressive, and having both males and females will only make things more challenging, especially when they breed.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate the ID. Just to confirm, all males would be alright then? They've already begun displaying some breeding behavior and I've definitely noticed a spike in aggression.

[coltin]

Many cichlid enthusiasts opt for all-male tanks to showcase vibrant colors without the hassle of breeding. Alternatively, you can have an all-female tank, but most female cichlids tend to lack the striking colors of their male counterparts.

[fluffa]

From what I can tell, the yellow one with stripes appears to be a male Pseudotropheus Lombardoi, while the blue one with stripes seems to be a female P. lombardoi. The black fish with a white line is likely a Pseudotropheus auratus. The white fish, I'd say, is probably an albino Pseudotropheus zebra. Then there's the yellow fish without stripes, which looks like a yellow zebra to me.

As they mature, these fish can get quite aggressive, and having both males and females will only make things more challenging, especially when they breed.

You've been really helpful, thanks. One last thing - my yellow zebra (is this the same as a lab?) has these white spots on the anal fin. They're really symmetrical, which I found interesting. I'm pretty sure I read that this is normal for Cichlids, but I just wanted to check.

[coltin]

The yellow zebra cichlid, which is what I believe you have, is a Pseudotropheus zebra, whereas the Labidochromis caeruleus is often referred to as a Lab. Now, the Lab has a slightly different yellow hue and black colouration on the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins.

Those white spots on the anal fin of your yellow zebra are actually egg spots. Many male mouth brooding cichlids have these. Here's what happens: mouth brooding cichlids hold the eggs and newly hatched babies in a buccal pouch, a little sack under the jaw. When eggs are laid, the female picks them up in her mouth and holds them in her buccal pouch. She sees the egg spots on the male's anal fin and thinks they're eggs. She tries to collect them, the male releases sperm, which gets drawn into the female's mouth and fertilises the eggs in her mouth.

[fluffa]

From what I can tell, the yellow one with stripes appears to be a male Pseudotropheus Lombardoi, while the blue one with stripes seems to be a female P. lombardoi. The black fish with a white line is likely a Pseudotropheus auratus. The white fish, I'd say, is probably an albino Pseudotropheus zebra. Then there's the yellow fish without stripes, which looks like a yellow zebra to me.

As they mature, these fish can get quite aggressive, and having both males and females will only make things more challenging, especially when they breed.

That's seriously one of the coolest things I've learned in a while.