identifying fish species

[rusto]

Hi again, so I posted here a few months back asking for help identifying my fish, and got a few different suggestions. He's coloured up a bit more now, so I thought I'd check in and see if anyone has any new ideas.

http/s759.photobucket.com/user/a_kirk18/media/image.jpg.html

[flametrek]

It might be a Cobalt Blue Zerba Cichlid, judging by the coloration. I'm not too familiar with cichlids, so it's possible it could be a mix of breeds.

[nerdy_9]

An mbuna, no question. I'm fairly certain it's a Malawi, given the colouration.

[floralpup]

Definitely an mbuna, no question. It's a malawi. I've got one in my community tank, same species, he's still small though, about 2" long.

[rusto]

Thanks for the help. I knew it was a Malawi, but that's about it - got it as 'assorted' so no more info than that.

[flametrek]

Definitely an mbuna, I'm pretty sure it's a Cobalt Blue Mbuna, the coloration matches, it's a malawi cichlid for sure.

[rusto]

To me, he has a strong resemblance to the cobalts, but I think there's a bit of hybrid in him. He's definitely the boss in the tank and looks stunning when he's all flared up.

[codefly9]

I'm having second thoughts about the hybrid thing. I think this guy might actually be a Metriaclima pyrsonotos, or a red top zebra, which is a type of Mbuna. The fins wouldn't have that orange color if it was a Cobalt Blue, so I'm leaning away from that now.