Unidentified Cichlids • Meet Chewey

[SenorStrum]

This guy was sold as an Elongatus Chewere. We purchased other individuals at the time we don't have questions about - clearly Chewere. The problem is with Chewey here. His behavior had him as the tank boss for months - even putting fully colored Chewere under him. The black bars are not permanent - he can change his coloration more than any other fish we have depending on mood. Sometimes showing almost no markings.

So what do you think? Is this a Chewere?

[SenorStrum]

Another Photo if it will help.

[Fogelhund]

It's a Cynotilapia zebroides/afra of some type.

[SenorStrum]

Thanks, Fogelhund, for pointing us in the right direction. We believe he's an Afra Cobue. We shall see, and hopefully find some tank-mates.

[noki]

To add to the confusion, there is a Chewere Afra, which has a yellow line in the dorsal. https://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1675

But he does look like a Cobue, it takes a while for the yellow-orange color to get bright, that part of the color is not turn on and off like the cool black barring.

Think you got a nice mistake extra for your tank, the only worry is if you think he hurts the dominant color of the Elongatus Chewere, or if you planned on seriously saving fry from the Elongatus.

[SenorStrum]

Hey Noki, thanks for the extra info. A few weeks on, Chewey's head is getting more and more of a dominant rusty orange color that does not fade in and out like the stripes as you noted. We're happy with the mistake and have modified our stocking list accordingly to add a group of these eventually. He has come to peace with the Dominant Chewere male, who is the tank boss. No concerns about color, the Elongatus Chewere's color is exquisite. Chewey got run out of his hole, but not pursued any further.

We don't plan to save any fry. (Except the ones I sell for extremely high prices as designer custom hybrids )