Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Nigerian red'

[ste12000]

Hi guys, ive been collecting/keeping the Pelvicachromis group for quite some time, ive kept over half of the group so far and i am slowly working my way through the colour morphs of Taeniatus as and when i find them available!
Here in the UK by far the most commonly found is the Nigerian red strain, i kept and bred these about a year ago and then quickly moved them on to make space for another project..At an auction yesterday i picked up two pairs and will be soon embarking on a bit of a rescue mission to breed/create a decent strain that is not the usual washed out load of c"*p that i usually see..
I have just one question? has it yet been proven that the red strain is a naturally occuring strain or is it a man made form? all the books seem undecided and after doing tons of research i have still never found a definitive answer?? Any help will be gratefully received.

 

[tjudy]

The origins of the Nigerian Red strains are most likely the Isokpo population that has a red cheek. The closest tank strain to that is one called 'red cheek'. It has been so long since anyone has been into Isokpo to bring any fish out that it is very safe to say that Nigerian red P. taeniatus are tank strains.