My new P. rubrolabiatus

[dconnors]

Thought I would share a couple of pics of what I brought home from the LFS today

Hopefully the images show up ok, now for a couple of questions: I see these on a couple of different lists and some just say P. rubrolabiatus, others are listed as P. rubrolabiatus 'Dikiya'. Is there really any difference between the two or are they the exact same fish? What is the best book or source of information on all of these great west african dwarf cichlids? Being a relative newbie to the world of "westies" I am amazed that these fish have not caught on more in the hobby! I look forward to any comments or advice that anyone can offer. Thanks,
Dave

 

[Joe Gatchell]

Wow, really nice. Your LFS had those?

Best book on westies is "The Cichlid Fishes of Western Africa" by Anton Lamboj.

 

[dconnors]

Wow, really nice. Your LFS had those?

Best book on westies is "The Cichlid Fishes of Western Africa" by Anton Lamboj.

Well...in the interest of full disclosure I found out that one of my LFS that I sell to on a regular basis was doing an order from The Cichlid Exchange. I used to help run a pet store so I know they usually have some pretty good stuff. Had the LFS see what they had available as far as westies, they had some good stuff but not what I really wanted (N. sabinae). They had P. signatus and P.rubrolabiatus on the list so I told the LFS to just ask which looked better and get me 3 pair. I am very happy with the results! :biggrin: The males are probably 4" TL. I have them in a 50 breeder with lots of pvc and driftwood. There are also some cories, brochis, and Gymnogeophagus labiatus 'Rio Olimar' females in the tank with them. So far it seems to be helping keep the aggression down, but I have not even had them 24 hours...time will tell.
I will definitely be seeking out that book as well, thanks!

 

[aquaticclarity]

As far as I know rubrolabiatus is only being collected from one place right now so the "Dikiya" label (collection location...I think it's the near by village but I could be wrong) would apply to all of them that are in the hobby right now.

Older info refers to P. rubrolabiatus as Kolonte 1 and P. signatus as Kolonte 2 (or was it the other way around).

 

[peterK]

Great Fish Dave! I hope I'll get those little, aggressive gems soon

 

[dconnors]

As far as I know rubrolabiatus is only being collected from one place right now so the "Dikiya" label (collection location...I think it's the near by village but I could be wrong) would apply to all of them that are in the hobby right now.

Older info refers to P. rubrolabiatus as Kolonte 1 and P. signatus as Kolonte 2 (or was it the other way around).

Ok, that clears it up for me some. Thanks Jeff!
Dave