Labeotropheus trewavasae vs fuelleborni

[jred]

Good evening everyone,

I have been doing some research and noted that for most mbuna, its best to keep those of different genius to prevent cross breeding from taking place (along with them looking different as well). To keep in line with that methodology, I have decided that the Lab. trewavasae or fuelleborni would be a great way to diversify my tank. I was hoping to get the opinion of those who have kept these cichlids (or just one of the species) as to whether they were a good addition, how easy/hard they were too keep/what you kept them with/any other facts about them that might be interesting. As well, I have noticed that there are many variations of each species which normally relate to where the cichlid is found and usually determine the color of that particular species. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which kind to specifically be on the look out for (i.e. mpango, chilumba, likoma, katale, etc.)? I am hoping to get some red/orange in the tank (already have a metriaclima so no red zebras) so was leaning towards the chilumba but it seems that the coloring of these guys can vary quite a bit - has anyone kept any with good coloring? Sorry for the long post but any suggestions would be perfect.

[Regalblue]

What's your other stock & their tank size?
  I've kept fuelleborni a bunch of times & prefer them over trews because they are hardier & a beefier bodied fish.

[disenga]

Here is a pic of my trew "chilumba" male.

[disenga]

I have seen pictures of other trew "chilumbas" showing a more redish-orange coloration.  The type of food you feed can also influence color.

I've never kept the fuelleborni, but compared with other mbuna I've found the trews to be of a typical rowdy temperament.  However, the shape of their mouths seems to impair their ability to inflict serious wounds so easily. If your intent is to breed them, I've found the curious mouth shape to also make these fish much harder to strip than the average malawi mbuna as well.

I've yet to have to separate fish of this species due to aggression. 

[jred]

Right now I have a 90 gallon with a trio of metriaclimia lombardoi, 5 redtop of some nature (still waiting for them to grow out fully to identify), 4 acei ngara, and 4 iodotropheus sprengerae. Wanting to add another species with orange but it's proving difficult to do, my fear with the fuelleborni is that it will get too big for the tank. Another alternative I am considering is doing a smaller dwarf cichlid but I am told u need to have them in a group of 8+ so that might be pushing the tank. Are there any dwarfs that have orange and would be suitable or is that too many fish for the 90?

[Ron]

It sounds like you've done a great job researching things. Good to see. 

I've kept L. trewavasae "Red Top" on a couple of occasions (males are blue with red dorsal, females are OB ("orange blotch"). I like the slimmer look of the trewavasae over the stocky/chunky fuelleborni.

With regards to "8+" for dwarf mbuna, that doesn't ring true with my experiences. Less agreessive species with 1m/3f or 2m/4f (for example - exact ratio not mandatory) are just fine. For the more aggressive dwarf mbuna, example: Ps. demasoni, 8+ would perhaps be a minimum  - I've had better luck either keeping a single male or a group numbering in the double digits.

For a lesser aggressive dwarf mbuna that would fit with what you have, perhaps Labidiochromis sp. "Hongii" would be one for your consideration. There is also a line-bred version "Hongii SRT" or "Hongii Super Red Top", with more red in them - google for examples.

Another mbuna with red is Pseudotropheus sp. "red top ndumbi" (previously also known as Pseudotropheus sp. "Perspicax Red Cap"), though I don't think the females look as good as hongii females.

[auratus]

If you intrested I have fry from a brand new strain of chilumba comming up , these fish have standard stunning red males and OB females, but this has a one of a kind mutation that produces some blue females as well. This is a new strain so it hasent be set yet

[jred]

Hey sorry for the super late reply, I was able to pick up a trio of what I thought were trewavasae but now I am thinking they are fuelleborni (marmalade cat male). I was really leaning towards the chilumba so if these guys don't work out I will contact you. Does anyone know a way to tell whether the trio I got is a trew or fuelle? I know the common way is based on the fuelle being thicker but my guys are 3-4" and aren't really that thick. But the male has red fins with dark blue and red OB body. Females are orange with black OB pattern. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

If you can get a pic of them we can help identify them.

[jred]

So this is the best pick I could get so far of the male but you can kind of see the color of the female beside him (pale orange OB). Any help ID'ing would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

[kodyboy]

It is a little blurry and a side view would be better but it looks like a Fuelleborni to me as it appears a little thicker than a trewavasse would and looks just like the pile of fuelleborni that I have.

[jred]

So here are a few better pics, he was a little more cooperative and I even got one with the female in there (both are a beautiful pale orange with super orange speckled dorsal fins). Another question for those keep these species, do your females have a lot of egg spots? Mine have prob 3-4 spots on each, I know mbuna both can have them but most of my other species only have 1-1 max. Wondering if this is normal haha any advice welcome, thanks!

[kodyboy]

Looks like a Fulleborni to me.  I have both blue and ob fulleborni males and females can have egg spots.