Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi everyone,
First time posting and still learning about cichlids.
Just finishing up my 55 gallon Malawi tank setup.
Tank's been cycling for a month now, so it's time for the first fish.
Went to the local fish store and picked up my first eight fish - six of them I knew the species since they were in individual tanks.
The other two were from a mixed Malawi tank my son chose, and to be honest, I'm not sure what they are.
Would really appreciate any help identifying them.
Thanks in advance,
marlowe
PS sorry about the bad image quality - took it on my phone

Hello fellow African cichlid enthusiast, nice to see another like-minded individual on this forum, albeit a rare sight.

The striped one has me stumped, but I'm fairly certain the blue one is a young tursio. Give them some time, and once they reach around 4 inches in length, their characteristics should become more apparent. I do want to caution you, however, many Malawi haps, which both of these fish seem to be, can grow quite large, often reaching 8 inches or more. The tursio, in particular, is one such hap that requires ample space, ideally in a 75-gallon tank or larger.

It's worth noting that when purchasing fish from mixed tanks, there's always a possibility of getting a cross-breed. While some might view this as a drawback, I personally think these 'mutt' fish can be just as beautiful as their purebred counterparts. I've had the pleasure of raising several myself, and I can attest to their unique charm.