Thoracochromis demeusii

[freshwaterfishfan]

Two months ago I bought a group of west african cichlids labeled "Ctenochromis sp." from Toyin Ojo. I have them in a 55 G and they have grown up and I think they are Thoracochromis demeusii. They fit the description in Lamboj's book to a tee, right down to the very concave head and red hump. They look like a miniature Geo. steindeckeri (as Ted Judy says). Anyone else get these fish from Toyin and come to the same conclusion? And if anyone wants a wild male, let me know. I learned just in time that this is a one male/tank fish. The alpha male had beat this guy to a pulp but I rescued him and have nursed him back to health. An attractive and small (though aggressive) fish.
Steve

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd love to see some pictures of these guys.

 

[Randall]

Thoracochromis demeusii?

Hello fishfan,

I've never heard of any Thoracochromis demeusii in the U.S., and Ctenochromis are extremely rare as well. Please take some photos and post them here in the forum.

Thanks and good luck!

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Lisachromis]

Yeah, show some pics. I know some people who'd be interested to see them.

 

[Lisachromis]

Do they look like this?

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/rippy64/Haplochormisspflavenentis017.jpg


He got them as Haplochromis sp. flavenentis. He's noted similarities to Thoracochromis demeusii.

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

T. demuessi

No, they look nothing like that picture, though the male does have 3 egg spots. The male has a silver base color with red/black outline to the dorsal fins and a very prominent nuchal hump that is red as well.
The male never stops moving making it difficult to get a good shot. I will try to get some pictures posted.
The best pic I found on the web is:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/thumbnails/thumb_thoracochromis.jpg

and mine look like that with more color (they don't have blue lips, though).
Steve

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

Posting pictures

Okay, I got some decent photos of the dominant male "T. demeusii". How do I post them?
Thanks
Steve

 

[tjudy]

You need a hosting site Steve. Email them to me adn I will post them for you if you want.

 

[tjudy]

Here are Steve's images

http://webpages.charter.net/tedjudy/fish images/T[1]._demeusii_male0.JPG

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

What do you think?

While the pictures certainly won't end up in Smithsonian, I hope they get the general body design/coloration across. This guy rules the 55 G he is in. He has daily battles with a male B. finleyi. Luckily the B. finleyi sticks to the bottom of the tank most of the time.
Steve

 

[Randall]

Thoracochromis or Ctenochromis?

Hello Steve,

Do you have a magnifying glass? You do? Good!

If you have a look at Lamboj's genera descriptions for Thoracochromis and Ctenochromis, the former possess smaller chest scales vs. flank and body scales; while the latter possess a bare chest in front of the pelvic fins. This should help you to ID your new fish. Also, can Toyin Ojo tell you where your fish were collected?

If they were collected in the lower Congo drainage, for example, that would limit the possibilities to four species: T. bakongo, T. demeusii, T. fasciata, or C. polli. Looking at your photos, I'd say you have either T. demeusii or C. polli.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[retro_gk]

Randall,
I seem to recall reading somewhere that C. polli is a junior synonym of T. demeusii... was I dreaming?

 

[Randall]

Ctenochromis polli

Hi Rahul,

No, Ctenochromis polli (Thys, 1964) is a valid species.

Randall Kohn

 

[retro_gk]

Thanks for clearing that up, Randall.