Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: Mission Man on September 22, 2013, 11:11:23 AM

Title: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Mission Man on September 22, 2013, 11:11:23 AM
I attended the MCA Auction yesterday (first one, and I might add, there were a lot of fish! Great job to all !!!) and Daffodils were on my wish list.  I saw bags containing Lamprologus helianthus (daffodils) but were out bid on all of them.  So I got home and searched Lamprologus helianthus and was directed to "Sunflower Cichlid" and the photos looked like a Daffodil.  I then searched Daffodil Cichlid and was directed to Neolamprologus pulcher and the photos showed the same fish.  I've also heard of them referred to as Lamprologus brichardi "Daffodil". What are they?     :-\
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Ron on September 22, 2013, 02:09:09 PM
Your post serves as a good reminder of why common names are frowned upon the more you learn in this hobby.  :)

N. pulcher has a double-slash, "\ \" style marking on the gill plate.

N. brichardi has a 'T' style marking on the gill plate.

N. helianthus are typically a bit darker than the above two species and have a 'V' shaped marking on the gill plate.

Of course, if you're buying small fish they might be hard to tell apart and trusting the source of your fish is important.

Personally, I've always known "Daffodil" to be N. pulcher and would reject any other premise without a really good argument.

With regards to the names you found, the ones containing "Lamprologus" are the older names. In the last 20 years or so what's known about cichlids from a taxonomic perspective has changed a lot and a number of things were reclassified. Neolamprologus is the newer genus naming for these fish (and many others previously known as "Lamprologus".

Adding a twist to all of this, sometime in the last 5-8 years there's been new evidence that N. pulcher and M. brichardi are the same species technically, just different locations that resulted in a coloration difference, but not enough to warrant a new species. I'm not sure if they've been formally reclassified yet to a single name (or if they will be).
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: linuxrulesusa on September 22, 2013, 02:45:16 PM
Excellent explanation Ron.

In my limited experience looking for and keeping a few of these, the brichardi are the offwhite color, daffodil have a little bit of a purplish tinge and the helianthus are more of a yellow tinge especially the adults.  With markings as Ron described.
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Regalblue on September 22, 2013, 04:02:32 PM
Yes... N. Brichardi is not listed on CRC anymore.  So N. pulcher is actually correct for both now.
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: auratus on September 22, 2013, 05:06:27 PM
Have young Daffs for sale 1 in $3.00 and 2'' $5.00
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Mission Man on September 22, 2013, 10:23:49 PM
Thanks to all who responded.  That's why I like this forum.  Not only do I now know the difference, but I know where to find them.  ;D

Who had the L. helianthus at the auction?  I'm thinking that I need two tanks, one of each!   ;)

And Auratus... I'll probably be in touch !!!

Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Mission Man on October 02, 2013, 06:54:40 AM
Who has some sexable daffodils?  I'm looking for a pair.  Had them along time ago and want them again.

Anybody with a proven pair, good quality?

Plan on being at the meeting this Friday and can pick up there, if convenient.
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Mission Man on October 02, 2013, 03:18:55 PM
Bump (message modified)
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Who has some sexable daffodils?  I'm looking for a pair.  Had them along time ago and want them again.

Anybody with a proven pair, good quality?

Plan on being at the meeting this Friday and can pick up there, if convenient.
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: linuxrulesusa on October 02, 2013, 03:55:03 PM
Bump (message modified)
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Who has some sexable daffodils?  I'm looking for a pair.  Had them along time ago and want them again.

Anybody with a proven pair, good quality?

Plan on being at the meeting this Friday and can pick up there, if convenient.

I have a friend who has possibly what you're looking for?  See here: http://greatlakesaquaria.com/index.php?/topic/5289-heptad-of-brichardi-fulwe-variation/?hl=brichardi  He still has at least 5, maybe still the group of 7.  And wants to do something different.

If you're interested PM me your number and I'll pass it on to him - he's not on MCA as far as I know. 
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: djlamonica on October 02, 2013, 03:55:54 PM
Here is something awesome that may interest you.

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcichlidst&1381818692
Title: Re: Daffodils (fish not flowers)
Post by: Mission Man on October 03, 2013, 08:20:31 PM
Here is something awesome that may interest you.

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcichlidst&1381818692
I've been on Aquabid before, but went on the web site in the narrative (littleafricaaquatics.com)  Now this site is awesome !!!!  Love the color of the Daffodils.  The pairs that they sell are "vented" pairs, not proven, so I think I'm gonna wait.  Got a couple more feelers out there.  Thanks though.  This is a great site.