Cichlid ID

[bettafairy]

Can anyone help me identify all these fish? They are currently living in my boyfriends office and I’m trying to identify them in order to help take care of them better. I definitely think the largest one needs to be rehomed due to behavioral issues. I am certain that the owner of this tank doesn’t know anything about the nitrogen cycle so I want to try and fix any previous mistakes. There used to be a common pleco living in the tank as well, but it is most likely dead due to the other fish’s aggression. The tank is large, I’m guessing around 100-130 gallons. However I still feel like the largest fish is causing issues and the overall stock has lead to fights and hostile behavior.


The overall tormentor of the tank. Extremely food aggressive, has harmed multiple fish. Giant bully.

There are two of these small orange fish inside the tank, they are generally terrified of everything and avoid conflict at all costs.

This pretty blue guy in the middle fights with the big bully constantly, however he is my favorite because he looks the healthiest despite the fights

This grey guy is also very skittish and avoids conflict, another target for the bully as he is a tad larger than the blue one.

Big Bully’s arch nemesis, who I will call shadow. Shadow is extremely torn up, covered in scratches and yet he still competes with the large fish everyday. He also attacks the other orange fish and is constantly flaring.
One day I am worried that these fish will be bullied into oblivion and I feel like I need to do something about it.
You can see all the fish in the tank here, as well as the layout and general tank size. Problems that I’ve noticed besides aggression includes no live plants, no water changes, and over and under feedings. I can applaud the owner for is the tank itself, it comes with a filtration system that I am not familiar with. Here are some photos.

 

[St3v3]

Alright I'm pretty good with cichlid ID the orange guy looks like a red devil cichlid.The second one looks like a yellow band tropheous moori and the bottom to look like convicts

 

[Analisemcg]

Can anyone help me identify all these fish? They are currently living in my boyfriends office and I’m trying to identify them in order to help take care of them better. I definitely think the largest one needs to be rehomed due to behavioral issues. I am certain that the owner of this tank doesn’t know anything about the nitrogen cycle so I want to try and fix any previous mistakes. There used to be a common pleco living in the tank as well, but it is most likely dead due to the other fish’s aggression. The tank is large, I’m guessing around 100-130 gallons. However I still feel like the largest fish is causing issues and the overall stock has lead to fights and hostile behavior.

View attachment 800519
The overall tormentor of the tank. Extremely food aggressive, has harmed multiple fish. Giant bully.
View attachment 800520
There are two of these small orange fish inside the tank, they are generally terrified of everything and avoid conflict at all costs.
View attachment 800521
This pretty blue guy in the middle fights with the big bully constantly, however he is my favorite because he looks the healthiest despite the fights
View attachment 800522
This grey guy is also very skittish and avoids conflict, another target for the bully as he is a tad larger than the blue one.
View attachment 800523
Big Bully’s arch nemesis, who I will call shadow. Shadow is extremely torn up, covered in scratches and yet he still competes with the large fish everyday. One day I am worried that these fish will be bullied into oblivion and I feel like I need to do something about it.View attachment 800524
You can see all the fish in the tank here, as well as the layout and general tank size. Problems that I’ve noticed besides aggression includes no live plants, no water changes, and over and under feedings. I can applaud the owner for is the tank itself, it comes with a filtration system that I am not familiar with. Here are some photos.

View attachment 800530View attachment 800531

I am not very familiar with cichlids, but this is my guess.
1- Midas cichlid
2- blood parrot
Gray guy looks like a convict
2 of them kinda look like rams? A cichlid owner will know more.

 

[carsonsgjs]

No blood parrots or rams here that i can see. The tropheus looks to be a tropheus duboisi, and the other two look to be convicts. The larger orange fish could be red devils but not sure.

no surprise with this mix that the aggression is off the charts.

 

[bettafairy]

Alright I'm pretty good with cichlid ID the orange guy looks like a red devil cichlid.The second one looks like a yellow band tropheous moori and the bottom to look like convicts

Big bully is either a red devil or Midas cichlid looking at pictures but I honestly cannot tell the difference. His lips aren’t protruding so I’m inclined to think he might be a Midas. After looking up the yellow band tropheous I think he looks more like a tropheous duboisi halembe because his stripe is more white than yellow. I think the striped ones are convicts after a quick google of the species. Are all these fish typically aggressive?
** Just learned from my boyfriend that a tiger pleco is still alive inside the tank.

No blood parrots or rams here that i can see.

no surprise with this mix that the aggression is off the charts.

What are the orange cichlids if they are not blood parrots? They are the smallest fish in the tank besides the tiger pleco whose existence I just learned of. They mostly hide and come up to find leftover food. I knew off that bat that something was wrong with the stock due to behavior alone. I really want to make this right!

 

[Analisemcg]

No blood parrots or rams here that i can see. The tropheus looks to be a tropheus duboisi, and the other two look to be convicts. The larger orange fish could be red devils but not sure.

no surprise with this mix that the aggression is off the charts.

Wow I’m clueless! I need to read up on these

 

[St3v3]

Big bully is either a red devil or Midas cichlid looking at pictures but I honestly cannot tell the difference. His lips aren’t protruding so I’m inclined to think he might be a Midas. After looking up the yellow band tropheous I think he looks more like a tropheous duboisi halembe because his stripe is more white than yellow. I think the striped ones are convicts after a quick google of the species. Are all these fish typically aggressive?

Both red devils and Midas have an aggressive reputation can be tempermental depending on the individual as for tropheous from what I'm reading they quite aggressive themselves.As for convicts I actually have personal exerience with them and they surely can have their own tempers

Big bully is either a red devil or Midas cichlid looking at pictures but I honestly cannot tell the difference. His lips aren’t protruding so I’m inclined to think he might be a Midas. After looking up the yellow band tropheous I think he looks more like a tropheous duboisi halembe because his stripe is more white than yellow. I think the striped ones are convicts after a quick google of the species. Are all these fish typically aggressive?
** Just learned from my boyfriend that a tiger pleco is still alive inside the tank.

What are the orange cichlids if they are not blood parrots? They are the smallest fish in the tank besides the tiger pleco whose existence I just learned of. They mostly hide and come up to find leftover food. I knew off that bat that something was wrong with the stock due to behavior alone. I really want to make this right!

Wait a second THERES A PLECO in there!! I'd be worried about the pleco as I remember I tried to keep a pictus with convicts the pictus got its eyes bitten off. So if I were to remove anything I'd remove the pleco

 

[bettafairy]

Both red devils and Midas have an aggressive reputation can be tempermental depending on the individual as for tropheous from what I'm reading they quite aggressive themselves.As for convicts I actually have personal exerience with them and they surely can have their own tempers

How should I go about rehousing them? Are there any fish in here that can stay with each other? I’m a little fresh when it comes to cichlids but I’m pretty determined to help these guys out. I am also unsure of what to do with the tiger pleco.

Wait a second THERES A PLECO in there!! I'd be worried about the pleco as I remember I tried to keep a pictus with convicts the pictus got its eyes bitten off. So if I were to remove anything I'd remove the pleco

YES!! Poor little guy needs to be saved for sure. I am honestly not sure where he is but I will find him lol. What is the minimum tank size for a tiger ? Im not fairly certain but aren’t they a smaller species of pleco?

 

[St3v3]

How should I go about rehousing them? Are there any fish in here that can stay with each other? I’m a little fresh when it comes to cichlids but I’m pretty determined to help these guys out. I am also unsure of what to do with the tiger pleco.

First priority would be to get the African cichlid out where African cichlid aggression different from South/Central American cichlids.African cichlids like to claim the entire tank where South Americans like to claim a certain area as their area they defend.

 

[MacZ]

This pretty blue guy in the middle fights with the big bully constantly, however he is my favorite because he looks the healthiest despite the fights

Healthy specimen of Tropheus duboisi indeed. I would consider rehoming that one. I guess collectors of Tanganyika cichlids would be glad to have such a specimen and long term it will get the short end against the central americans.

 

[bettafairy]

First priority would be to get the African cichlid out where African cichlid aggression different from South/Central American cichlids.African cichlids like to claim the entire tank where South Americans like to claim a certain area as their area they defend.

I definitely need to find someone to take the Midas if not almost all of the fish inside the tank. I definitely wouldn’t charge any money for them as they for sure need a better home. I’m going to post on the buy sell trade forum after talking with the owner. *My boyfriend says the owner wouldn’t mind getting rid of ALL the fish. If anything I want to try and keep the tiger pleco but it depends on the size tank he needs.

 

[St3v3]

I'd also try to separate the pleco as

I definitely need to find someone to take the Midas if not almost all of the fish inside the tank. I definitely wouldn’t charge any money for them as they for sure need a better home. I’m going to post on the buy sell trade forum after talking with the owner. *My boyfriend says the owner wouldn’t mind getting rid of ALL the fish. If anything I want to try and keep the tiger pleco but it depends on the size tank he needs.

What I'm reading about the tiger pleco you might be able to as tiger plecos don't usually get any bigger than six inches so they aren't the largest species so you probably could keep them in a non gigantic tank

 

[bettafairy]

Healthy specimen of Tropheus duboisi indeed. I would consider rehoming that one. I guess collectors of Tanganyika cichlids would be glad to have such a specimen and long term it will get the short end against the central americans.

The tropheus definitely looked the best out of all the other fish. Apparently this specific fish had a male counterpart that she ended up bullying to death. I feel bad for these fish, and I really hope I can find someone who can love them like how they deserve.

I'd also try to separate the pleco as

What I'm reading about the tiger pleco you might be able to as tiger plecos don't usually get any bigger than six inches so they aren't the largest species so you probably could keep them in a non gigantic tank

Should I take out the other fish into holding containers and then take out the pleco? I’m just nervous about them gobbling him up when I move the decorations. However he has lived in the tank for two+ years. Probably scared to death.

 

[St3v3]

The tropheus definitely looked the best out of all the other fish. Apparently this specific fish had a male counterpart that she ended up bullying to death. I feel bad for these fish, and I really hope I can find someone who can love them like how they deserve.

Should I take out the other fish into holding containers and then take out the pleco? I’m just nervous about them gobbling him up when I move the decorations. However he has lived in the tank for two+ years. Probably scared to death.

Moving the pleco out first would be the best bet because the pleco wouldn't be able to handle the aggression as long as the cichlids

 

[MacZ]

The tropheus definitely looked the best out of all the other fish. Apparently this specific fish had a male counterpart that she ended up bullying to death. I feel bad for these fish, and I really hope I can find someone who can love them like how they deserve.

The Tropheus is a male. The fins and the head colour are telltale signs. Also the fact it's holding its ground. Likely they were two guys or miss-sexed before.

 

[bettafairy]

The Tropheus is a male. The fins and the head colour are telltale signs. Also the fact it's holding its ground. Likely they were two guys or miss-sexed before.

I believe you entirely. My boyfriend begs to differ as “she” displayed what he calls “breeding behavior” but he isn’t very educated in fish lol. I wouldn’t doubt the owner bought them miss-sexed.

Moving the pleco out first would be the best bet because the pleco wouldn't be able to handle the aggression as long as the cichlids

Alright. Tomorrow I will be coming back to the office with buckets and a game plan haha. Hopefully I can find the pleco as I’d like to keep him.

 

[carsonsgjs]

Big bully is either a red devil or Midas cichlid looking at pictures but I honestly cannot tell the difference. His lips aren’t protruding so I’m inclined to think he might be a Midas. After looking up the yellow band tropheous I think he looks more like a tropheous duboisi halembe because his stripe is more white than yellow. I think the striped ones are convicts after a quick google of the species. Are all these fish typically aggressive?
** Just learned from my boyfriend that a tiger pleco is still alive inside the tank.

What are the orange cichlids if they are not blood parrots? They are the smallest fish in the tank besides the tiger pleco whose existence I just learned of. They mostly hide and come up to find leftover food. I knew off that bat that something was wrong with the stock due to behavior alone. I really want to make this right!

Sorry bettafairy i completely missed one of the pictures and having now seen the pictures in your other post, you have some blood parrots thrown into the mix too by the looks of it!

 

[MacZ]

I believe you entirely. My boyfriend begs to differ as “she” displayed what he calls “breeding behavior” but he isn’t very educated in fish lol. I wouldn’t doubt the owner bought them miss-sexed.

Yeah, well... I bred Tropheus for some years... so... I'll leave it at that.

 

[bettafairy]

Sorry bettafairy i completely missed one of the pictures and having now seen the pictures in your other post, you have some blood parrots thrown into the mix too by the looks of it!

No worries! They are quite cute. I hope someone can house them soon since they definitely want to get the heck out of this tank lol

Yeah, well... I bred Tropheus for some years... so... I'll leave it at that.

Haha! Thank you so much for your help. I’m sure someone will happily take this male tropheus off my hands, he is beautiful.

 

[Flyfisha]

It’s always difficult dealing with someone else’s tank bettafairy. Can I suggest you start with a simple water test and SMALL water change. Get a feeling from the owner of the tank. Talk gently and be positive. As the owner has been keeping the fish alive longer than you have had fish in your life you should tread carefully. They are his fish = his pets. Just because you/we don’t like what we see it’s not our / your place to judge. We all do things differently.

You boyfriend’s job is worth more than any fish.

 

[bettafairy]

It’s always difficult dealing with someone else’s tank bettafairy. Can I suggest you start with a simple water test and SMALL water change. Get a feeling from the owner of the tank. Talk gently and be positive. As the owner has been keeping the fish alive longer than you have had fish in your life you should tread carefully. They are his fish = his pets. Just because you/we don’t like what we see it’s not our / your place to judge. We all do things differently.

You boyfriend’s job is worth more than any fish.

My boyfriend’s dad is the owner haha! He honestly hates all of the fish he has because of their aggression and has been wanting to get rid of them for some time. I’d rather give them to someone on here then him surrender all of them to Petsmart, where they would be thrown away or left to suffer. Tomorrow I will bring my buckets and API test kit and get some information. Definitely going to rescue the tiger pleco. I would never tread on his fish as he is basically my father in law but from the conversations we have had I know he wants to change his stock. He has kept fish for some years now but is very old fashioned in his ways. No water changes since the tank has been filled. I am a young fish keeper but having had fish my whole life and have had a passion for biology and marine biodiversity and am now studying such at my college. I love fish and I only want the best for these guys.

 

[Flyfisha]

OK so the situation is even more complicated as the tank owner is your future father in law.

No water changes. That I think is someone who believes in “good water “ as was understood in 1970 . It’s possible he will never except the nitrogen cycle as being a real thing?
Good luck

 

[bettafairy]

OK so the situation is even more complicated as the tank owner is your future father in law.

No water changes. That I think is someone who believes in “good water “ as was understood in 1970 . It’s possible he will never except the nitrogen cycle as being a real thing?
Good luck

I definitely need that luck! I think I’m just going to explain to him that their aggression was caused by the stock and poor water quality. I think he already knows the stock is messed up, but doesn’t want to admit to his mistakes. He bought a very expensive tank with that built in filtration so I figure he thought that would “cycle” everything. Once I get the pleco and the cichlids out I think I might talk him into getting discus. He’s mentioned them before, so I know he would be open to the idea. I also think keeping discus would get him into the swing of water changes and how important they are.

 

[MacZ]

Depending in where the fish come from discus might be a bigger bite than he can chew. You could point him towards biotopes, there are some swamp biotopes that are extremely low maintenance.

Edit: But in the end, I'd probably just sort out the problem at hand and after that leave them with some suggestions and weasel out of it. Sounds like the type of fishkeeper as flyfisha said, that have learned it at least before 1990 and that's a whole different world in many cases in comparison to today.

 

[Ouse]

Hi bettafairy. At least your boyfriend’s dad disapproves of the current stocking. If he’s willing to catch up with modern practices in fishkeeping, that’s a different story. I wish you luck.

I might talk him into getting discus. He’s mentioned them before, so I know he would be open to the idea. I also think keeping discus would get him into the swing of water changes and how important they are.

If he doesn’t even understand the semantics of cycling and water quality etc yet this is a terrible idea. Keeping and maintaining discus would be far too labour-intensive for someone who isn’t adjusted to doing basic tank maintenance. The situation would be worse than it is now.

 

[bettafairy]

Depending in where the fish come from discus might be a bigger bite than he can chew. You could point him towards biotopes, there are some swamp biotopes that are extremely low maintenance.

True, I figured that because he mentioned them before it might inspire him to be a little more present with his tank. Maybe some type of loach would be better since he has no idea what he’s doing and is practically learning from his son’s girlfriend. Maybe some kind of larger invert?

Hi bettafairy. At least your boyfriend’s dad disapproves of the current stocking. If he’s willing to catch up with modern practices in fishkeeping, that’s a different story. I wish you luck.

If he doesn’t even understand the semantics of cycling and water quality etc yet this is a terrible idea. Keeping and maintaining discus would be far too labour-intensive for someone who isn’t adjusted to doing basic tank maintenance. The situation would be worse than it is now.

Best case scenario would be that he would be inspired to become a better fish keeper since I know he likes discus and has the money to do so. But you are probably correct. What would be something more simple yet just as rewarding that would restart his passion as an older fish keeper. Maybe he could work towards keeping discus as a kind of reward?

 

[MacZ]

True, I figured that because he mentioned them before it might inspire him to be a little more present with his tank. Maybe some type of loach would be better since he has no idea what he’s doing and is practically learning from his son’s girlfriend. Maybe some kind of larger invert?

I won't give any more concrete suggestions until you know the water parameters (check the tap there, too!).
Because the success with the old methods lies in choosing fish fitting to the water. Hard water - hardwater fish, soft water, softwater fish. The fact the Tropheus is in such good condition tells me hard water.

 

[bettafairy]

Edit: But in the end, I'd probably just sort out the problem at hand and after that leave them with some suggestions and weasel out of it. Sounds like the type of fishkeeper as flyfisha said, that have learned it at least before 1990 and that's a whole different world in many cases in comparison to today.

Totally agree, I want to help him as much as I can without him feeling like all he has left is an empty tank and an outdated view of his hobby. Once the cichlids are gone I could take him to a LFS and see what he’s drawn to and let him go from there, I’m just afraid that this exact situation will happen again. He likes larger, fancier types of fish, which comes with a lot of work he isn’t prepared for.

I won't give any more concrete suggestions until you know the water parameters (check the tap there, too!).
Because the success with the old methods lies in choosing fish fitting to the water. Hard water - hardwater fish, soft water, softwater fish. The fact the Tropheus is in such good condition tells me hard water.

I appreciate all of your advice greatly. I wouldn’t want him to rush into a new stock without even understanding how he’s messed up in the past. But I think the idea of “new” fish makes him excited about his tank again! Which makes me happy. Hopefully tomorrow he will read into the nitrogen cycle with me and watch me test his tank water. Our cities water is fairly hard, so that does explain the tropheus being so healthy. He’s certainly my favorite of the bunch.

 

[Ouse]

He likes larger, fancier types of fish, which comes with a lot of work he isn’t prepared for.

Which is an issue... this is someone who clearly only values fish for their looks. As can be seen this mentality has already backfired on him. Talking him into using fish that will work rather than using fish that simply look pretty might be bumpy. IMHO there’s very little that’s pretty in keeping big aggressive fish anyway. It’s more of a balancing act.

When I get into arguments with people about fish welfare my points are often ignored, or I’m hit with the classic “but it’s fine” without reason being provided. This often leaves me to make compromises which I don’t like making. In situations like this, where the person you’re talking to is in denial and wants everything to go their way, it’s best not to bother intervening. Hopefully this won’t happen.

But I think the idea of “new” fish makes him excited about his tank again! Which makes me happy.

Measure the dimensions of the tank’s water column and put them into an aquarium volume calculator online to get the volume in both gallons and litres. Once we know the parameters, the dimensions and the volume in gallons and/or litres we can come up with something. Tankbred softwater fish fare okay in hardwater as they’re not raised in or acclimated to the water comprising their natural habitat. This means you’re not limited to big hardwater species like certain African cichlids.

 

[bettafairy]

Which is an issue... this is someone who clearly only values fish for their looks. As can be seen this mentality has already backfired on him. Talking him into using fish that will work rather than using fish that simply look pretty might be bumpy. IMHO there’s very little that’s pretty in keeping big aggressive fish anyway. It’s more of a balancing act.

When I get into arguments with people about fish welfare my points are often ignored, or I’m hit with the classic “but it’s fine” without reason being provided. This often leaves me to make compromises which I don’t like making. In situations like this, where the person you’re talking to is in denial and wants everything to go their way, it’s best not to bother intervening. Hopefully this won’t happen.

Measure the dimensions of the tank’s water column and put them into an aquarium volume calculator online to get the volume in both gallons and litres. Once we know the parameters, the dimensions and the volume in gallons and/or litres we can come up with something. Tankbred softwater fish fare okay in hardwater as they’re not raised in or acclimated to the water comprising their natural habitat. This means you’re not limited to big hardwater species like certain African cichlids.

I just measured the tank and it’s 120 gallons or approximately 454 liters. I also tested the water parameters and it was a lot better than expected from having virtually no water changes since it’s been setup in 2018. I originally wrote that the tap water had an ammonia of 0, but it turned more green over time so I’d say it’s about 0.25 ppm.

I have also finally captured the tiger pleco from the tank. It took me about an hour of constant struggle lol. But he looks a lot different than what I was picturing. Instead of being a L33 King Tiger, I am for certain that he is an Imperial Tiger, or L134. He is quite stunning and I’m actually glad that he is an imperial as they stay slightly smaller than king tigers. Also I can’t help but love his yellow coloring.

 

[Ouse]

In almost all liquid tests the ammonia reading is often unclear. I wouldn’t see why the tank isn’t cycled yet three years after setup, so my best guess is the reading is just unclear.

The 5mg/L of nitrate is confusing me. If no water changes are done, why is it so low?

 

[bettafairy]

In almost all liquid tests the ammonia reading is often unclear. I wouldn’t see why the tank isn’t cycled yet three years after setup, so my best guess is the reading is just unclear.

The 5mg/L of nitrate is confusing me. If no water changes are done, why is it so low?

Could the tanks filtration system that’s underneath of it be changing out enough water to lower the nitrates? There are no live plants or wood in the tank. I was expecting some dark colors from the tests.