Please Id

Hallo!

Saw these at the lfs - they couldn't give me their names but promised me that they are a dwarf species and wouldn't grow bigger than they already are. I would greatly appreciate if someone could please provide me with more info, especially on the striped ones. Would just like to make sure it's suitable for my tank and also what other tank mates would be suitable before I buy.

Apologies for the quality of the photo. Couldn't get close enough for a better take.

 

There are 3 types of fish in there...

1. Frontosa - gets very big. (The one with the blue and black bands)
2. Fairy cichlids - stay relatively small, breed like rabbits. Become aggressive when breeding. (The pinkish one with the lyre tail)
3. No idea what the 3rd one is.


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They are from Lake Tanganyika and need very hard water. Not suited to a planted tank.

 

Thank you everyone!

@Sean J

He showed me the Frontosa and told me how big they get. He assured me however that these were not baby Frontosa that they are a dwarf specie. I've however already bought a high fin pleco (that I will now have to give away) due to misinformation so I've turned into a bit of a skeptic when it comes to advice from the lfs! (not one in particular, just in general)

@Jenn

Yip, will definitely not work in my tank then.

Any ideas for what I can keep? (I've been looking into the Apisto's as you've mentioned but haven't been able to trace any to buy. I was referred to Mark at PetStop, maybe he will be able to trace some for me)

 

@Dinky - I don't think it is the best idea in the world to even buy any fish from a LFS if they do not know what they are selling or dealing in. I would be very skeptical of that shop as they are probably not feeding them correctly or even keeping them in the correct water conditions. Even tho they might be alive and swimming around now - who knows what damage they might be suffering ( if any) and MORE importantly - will you not be taking home a whole bundle of problems and potential heart-ache for yourself.
I would advise anyone, that the only place to buy from, is a LFS that knows their story and are true professionals in their game. Unprofessional and ignorant LFS's do damage to our hobby, and to the industry and cause many heartaches to members of the public and to those unsuspecting folk who purchase from them. They should not be supported by us, Sadly, on this forum, we cannot name and shame those shops that need to be exposed because of bad practices and mis-information.

 

That other blue and black fish isn't a Frontosa - it's Neolamprologus tretocephalus. Much small than the former, too, and more fun IMO.