can you ID this cichild??

[kyonis]

I bought this cichlid from super pet kanata. It was in a tank full of large cichlid. Although it was about an 1" in size I liked it and bought it. I got it cheap since they didn't know what it was. Although there were no auratus in the tank, I think it could be an auratus but not sure it they look that way when very young. (it does look alot nlike thim however no yellow belly)

If you know what it should be let me know.

These the best pics I was able to get for it (it moves a lot).


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[damarech]

It may be a male M. auratus, the males have a brown belly

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[rickster]

It may be a male M. auratus, the males have a brown belly

I have the same fish and i agree it should be a male auratus .

[kyonis]

Thanks for the input .

I thought male auratus will start with the female's color then change when mature. this one that I have doesn't have the female color (the gold/yellow belly) and it is only 1" long.

It still could be an auratus. don't really know if they start this way then get the yellow belly and males will change after that.

any way I like the way it looks now and I'll wait and see how it turns out.

[damarech]

A female will morph into a male if no other male is present, as did mine.  Check out this link, it may answer a few questions for you. http://www.hagblomfoto.com/article_auratus.htm