Can anyone help identify my cichlids?

[coltin]

It's possible this one might not be a zebra after all - does it have that distinctive dip on the top of its head? If so, it's probably underfed and needs some extra care.

As for the acei, I think you've got a good chance of it working out as long as there are plenty of hiding spots for them to feel secure. Just make sure to keep an eye on things.

If you're thinking of getting more from the shop, be wary of any cichlids with black and blue or yellow and black horizontal stripes - those are likely Pseudotropheus auratus and they can get pretty feisty too.

[momisla4]

I'm still stumped on the mystery guy, but I checked again and no dip in the head. I also remembered the shop had a cichlid with yellow and black horizontal lines, so I'm thinking that's a no-go for me. I was browsing online and the zebras don't really resemble my guy, so I'm back to square one. I did figure out the kenyi sexing - blue for females and yellow for males, but I'm still unsure about the acei and the other one. Any ideas on how to sex them?

[coltin]

I've had a look into sexing acei and from what I gathered, most folks just get a bunch, like 8-10, and let nature take its course - the dominant male will take over, and well, you know how that goes. I was never really into Lake Malawi cichlids myself, the aggression was a bit of a turn-off for me. I did have some from Lake Tanganyika, and also some of the softwater ones from the African rivers, but they're super hard to find. One of my all-time faves was the Pelvicachromis subocellatus from Moanda - they have this gorgeous dark brown body, and the females get this stunning pink patch on their side, surrounded by a silver white edge. They breed pretty easily too, which makes me wonder why they're so hard to get your hands on.

[momisla4]

I was really hoping for rams, I thought they'd be a better fit since they're not as aggressive, but these African cichlids stole my heart, and my son's. Plus, they were a bit cheaper, which is a huge bonus considering all the money I've spent lately. If I can find some rams or less aggressive fish nearby, I'd definitely consider getting more tanks, like you suggested. I just scored a deal on a 20g, so I'll be separating my live bearers into more comfortable groups soon, freeing up my 50. And, I still have my 30g cycling, so that could be an option for rams or something similar.

[momisla4]

I'm starting to think, what if that mystery fish is a hybrid? I mean, I just can't seem to find anything that matches his coloring, stripe pattern, or even head shape - he's really one of a kind. And despite being around the kenyi, he holds his own pretty well, which is pretty cool.