2x Mbuna Cichlid Id's - I have guesses

[AquaStudent]

I have two cichlids that I could use some help in identifying.

#1 He looks similar to a Rusty (lodotropheus Sprengerae) to me but I have another fish that I'm 99% sure is a rusty and he is significantly darker (subdominance coloration or interspecies color morph?). If he had more blue in him then I would guess cynotilapia afra...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynotilapia_afra
Cichlid in Question:

My "Rusty" Cichlid:

#2 Is an albino something. The most common albino fish that I know of is a socolofi (snow white) but has a lot of yellow on his back, tail,and dorsal fin.

Thoughts? Thanks

 

[verbal]

For #1 I think you are seeing subdominant coloration of a rusty. The coloration is obviously different, but the pattern and shape looks identical.

For #2 is their an albino zebra? That is just a complete guess.

 

[Rasta Fish]

First 2 pictures are FEMALES Metriaclima greshakei
Second one is a MALEMetriaclima greshakei (Albino)

 

[verbal]

I agree with Craig that all these fish are Metriaclima greshakei.

The 1st pic maybe a subdominant male, but I am not 100% on that. The second does seem to have the typical female coloration.

 

[AquaStudent]

The reason I don't think any are female is because of the large quantity of egg spots on all of them.

The colorations and body structure do resemble Metriaclima greshakei on the second one, but what about a subdominant rusty?

It's so tricky IDing cichlids

 

[WendyFish]

Hate to ask, but is their provenance such that you'd expect they are definitely pure bred species?

The first definitely looks like what is commonly called a red top zebra of some kind/gender. There are four species that can go by this common name and can only be distinguished by their collection point. That is challenging given that so many have been tank bred for a long time.

 

[AquaStudent]

I would not be surprised if some of the fish are not pure bred and I HIGHLY doubt any are wild caught. I'm really just beginning in the hobby and I'm not overly concerned with hybridization (I'm not breeding my fish). I just want to get the experiences so I'll be better prepared down the road. I just want to enjoy the hobby as much as I can right now.

I will look into red top zebra. I can't say I've heard of that name (just a similar sounding name but with afra instead of zebra but I've only been in the hobby 2 years so I can't say much).

Thanks

 

[Hannibal]

They look a lot like the few fish that I currently have in my 75, I will see if I can get pictures of them tonight/this weekend.

Unfortunately, I rescued the fish so I am not 100% on what they are. I was told they are red top zebra but they look more like Greshakei to me due to their coloring. Instead of having the red tops mine are more yellow/orange. But they could also be hybrids or whatever.

If it helps cool! If not...well you will get to see a pic or two of my fish, lol.

 

[Rasta Fish]

but what about a subdominant rusty?

They are all Metriaclima greshakei ) comonly Redtop cobalt zebra

 

[AquaStudent]

Cool cool. Thank you.

And pictures are always appreciated