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September 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| How to Identify an Albino cichlid?
OK. I'll freely admit it. I am hopelessly addicted to African mbuna. I really enjoy my thriving community tank, but it does not compare with the African habitat. This one has now completed its cycle and I am very happy that I can now complete my stocking.
I've got a pretty good start 65g with some decent stock, but will probably end up adding about six more fish.
Meanwhile, I couldn't resist picking up this little guy just because he's so "wicked" appearing (the eyes). I know he could end up being a menace in the tank since I don't have a clue what he is. For now, he's not much of a threat at less than 2 inches. Besides, there's a VERY tight cichlid club here locally and I've been accepted into the inner sanctum. Guys breeding tanks full in their garages. Hard core. I'm learning a lot from them (and the good folks here).
But, can anyone ID this fellow from this shot? In general, how are unknown albinos identified - species and/or sex? Seems pretty tough if you have no idea . . .
Here's a couple of (not very good) photos. He's so bright, it's tough to get a good shot using the flash. I always overexpose him (but he's not shy).
+++
Last edited by desertrefugee; September 21st, 2009 at 12:12 PM.
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September 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Wow, he's a looker. Not a big African Cichlids fan myself - but I'm sure someone will be along soon.  | |
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September 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| looks like some kind of peacock...but africans can look like one kind and 5 min later look like another LOL ....good luck and hopefully you can find out for sure!
im with you and africans are a hoot for sure..never a boring moment! | |
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September 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks, Shawnie. You nailed it! I've since found out that he is, indeed, of the aulonocara genus. Not sure of the precise species, but for sure he's no mbuna.
That's unfortunate since my entire African tank was to be mbuna only and peacocks don't usually mix well with them. For now, he's so small that he's essentially ignored by everyone else. But, as you can see from my stocking list, he'll be in trouble as he matures. (I'll find him a good home - now that I've hooked up with a club here locally). Too bad, he's got really wicked looking eyes - precisely the attribute that lured me into buying him even though I didn't know what he was.
Current stock in the 65g:
1 - Labidochromis caeruleus (Electric Yellow Lab)
1 - Pseudotropheus acei (Yellow Tail)
1 - Melanochromis johannii (Blue johanni)
2 - Labidochromis sp. Hongi (Juvi pair, probably not good with the yellow)
2 - Labeotropheus trewavasae (Mpanga Red, Juvi pair)
1 - Maylandia/Metriaclima callainos (Cobalt Blue Zebra).
1 - Maylandia/Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra)
1 - The li'l peacock (Aulonocara xxxx?) | |
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September 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Congrats on the new addition Desert! It's beautiful!
Ken | |
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September 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by desertrefugee  Thanks, Shawnie. You nailed it! I've since found out that he is, indeed, of the aulonocara genus. Not sure of the precise species, but for sure he's no mbuna.
That's unfortunate since my entire African tank was to be mbuna only and peacocks don't usually mix well with them. For now, he's so small that he's essentially ignored by everyone else. But, as you can see from my stocking list, he'll be in trouble as he matures. (I'll find him a good home - now that I've hooked up with a club here locally). Too bad, he's got really wicked looking eyes - precisely the attribute that lured me into buying him even though I didn't know what he was.
Current stock in the 65g:
1 - Labidochromis caeruleus (Electric Yellow Lab)
1 - Pseudotropheus acei (Yellow Tail)
1 - Melanochromis johannii (Blue johanni)
2 - Labidochromis sp. Hongi (Juvi pair, probably not good with the yellow)
2 - Labeotropheus trewavasae (Mpanga Red, Juvi pair)
1 - Maylandia/Metriaclima callainos (Cobalt Blue Zebra).
1 - Maylandia/Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra)
1 - The li'l peacock (Aulonocara xxxx?) | im not one to talk about with stocking LOL ...in my 75 gal i think i have a mixture of just about everything! good luck with yours tho  | |
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September 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Strawberry Peacock (there are several names for it other than "strawberry") but it is a peacock. | |
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September 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks Angela! For now, he's having no trouble with the larger mbuna (and some equal sized mbuna juveniles). If (when) things start to look dicey, I'll remove him.
Appreciate the ID! He really is a very nice looking fish - his symmetry, his demeanor (fins always spread wide) and, of course, those wicked albino eyes. | |
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September 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by desertrefugee Thanks Angela! For now, he's having no trouble with the larger mbuna (and some equal sized mbuna juveniles). If (when) things start to look dicey, I'll remove him.
Appreciate the ID! He really is a very nice looking fish - his symmetry, his demeanor (fins always spread wide) and, of course, those wicked albino eyes. | get a vid of your tank  the africans on video are a hoot! Id love to see them   | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Well, OK.
Not like some folks' great setups, but here's mine - for what it is. Still need a couple more specimens, but it's pretty much done. Please don't mind the silver male molly. He's a leftover from the cycling process and refuses to be caught. If that's the way he wants it, I wish him the best of luck. So far, he's doing just fine (surprisingly).
By the way, you might notice a male kenyi (Metriaclima lombardoi) lurking in the background. Added him yesterday. He is currently #2 in the tank and has diffused MUCH of the aggression being dished out by #1 - the cobalt zebra. I think things are starting to balance out... 
Last edited by desertrefugee; September 28th, 2009 at 10:33 PM.
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| I agree with Angela. Peacock for sure. Great looking btw. | |
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September 28th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| <BUMP> (Updated video. One bad video for another. Hollywood directors have nothing to fear from me).
Last edited by desertrefugee; September 29th, 2009 at 12:49 AM.
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October 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| we have the exact same cichlid and it is a strawberry peacock.... | |
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