identifying unidentified cichlids: can you help with names?

[maygena]

Hey everyone, so I've been setting up my 75 and 55 gallon tanks, planning for discus and angels in one and africans in the other. But things took a turn and now I might have to use them for my rescue fish instead. I'm not even sure if they're the same type of cichlid or what their water and feeding needs are - I'm basically clueless.

I've got them in the 75 gallon for now with a small piece of driftwood and a couple of rock caves. I was trying to wait till after the 5th to set everything up since I'm getting a bunch of new driftwood and rocks on the 4th. My friend found an ad on Craigslist for 10 cichlids for pretty much free, so we grabbed them and a pleco for $30. The tank they were in was disgusting, and two of the fish have already died since we transferred them. I tried to do it slowly and checked my water levels, which my local aquarium boutique said were perfect for africans, but I'm not sure if that's okay for these guys.

I'm currently feeding them spirulina flakes and giving them a piece of cucumber at night. I'm worried about the pleco since I haven't seen it eating yet. I also got some blood worms, but I don't want to give them any until I know it's safe for all the fish. I know I've got two sunnygold labs, but the others are a mystery. I've tried looking it up, but I've been wrong before.

The pleco is a sailfin, but I'm not sure what kind. The other fish are:
- dark blue with yellow stripes
- black and blue stripes on body and fins (might be a demasoni?)
- orange with three brighter spots on its lower back fin
- silver with black spots and yellow fins on the bottom
- pinkish all over with no distinguishing marks (maybe a peacock?)

Should I get more of a specific kind of fish? I know some of these guys need to be in groups.

[pawsy]

I'm not a pro but from what i know... i think i can help you out a bit. The third picture you posted, to me it looks like an acei. The fourth one, i'm getting a red zebra vibe. And the fifth one, i'm gonna take a guess and say it's a nimbochromis venustus. The sixth one, i've seen this one before and i'm pretty sure it's a man-made strain of peacock, usually called fluxeons blood or strawberry. Others will probably chime in soon and give you more info.

[maygena]

I'm really hoping someone can help me out, I've got my tank set up for Africans and the fish seem to be doing okay, but I'm stressing about feeding them the right food or adding salt if it's not safe for all of them. I'm a super organized person, but I didn't plan for this, I just couldn't leave them behind when I saw them. Now 2 have passed and I've only got 7 left, I'm worried about the others.

[bolt9x]

From my research and experience, I think the Pleco is an L001 Plec - they're fantastic fish and great to have in a community tank. I recall mine reaching a max size of about 10 inches.

The first Cichlid you mentioned, with the darker blue and yellow stripes, seems to match the characteristics of a Yellow Tail Acei. I've read they're quite beautiful once they mature.

As for the fourth and fifth pictures, I'd be inclined to agree with the possibility of them being Pseudotropheus Saulosi, with the fourth one likely being a male and the fifth a female. Their coloration and finnage seem to align with that species.

The sixth picture appears to be a Korvobochromis Venustus, based on the distinctive markings and color pattern.

Lastly, the seventh fish seems to resemble some type of Peacock, although I'm not entirely sure which specific variety.

[sweetie_22]

I'd say that pleco is actually a Gibbiceps, they can grow up to 24" in length. Not entirely sure about the others, but I'm happy to take a stab if you'd like more opinions.

[bolt9x]

I think it might be a Gold Spot Gibbi rather than the usual type, I'm pretty sure of it.

[sweetie_22]

I'm still not entirely convinced, but I think it could be a washed-out gibbiceps, the pictures you posted are making me question that though.

[bolt9x]

I had a young gibbi for a bit and it was quite different from the L001, both are awesome fish though.

[maygena]

the pics you posted do resemble mine, but there are some differences - my guy has spots all over, but the lighter and darker colorings are in roughly the same areas, so i'm still unsure.

[bolt9x]

My pleco was only 6" when I had it. The lighter markings on mine would appear and disappear, I'm not really sure what caused it - stress maybe, or something else entirely.