What kind of cichlids are these?

Question

My son got them from a friend. They are small. Male (dull color) is about 3 inches, female (pale orange/pink) is about 1 inch long. They spawn in a rock cave or tipped over flower pot. I've been told they are very hardy. I think they are omnivorous. They just haven't eaten for us yet. My son has had them for a day. We don't know what kind of cichlids they are. Do you?

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh170/wonder_woolies/DSCN1416.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh170/wonder_woolies/DSCN1415.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh170/wonder_woolies/DSCN1414.jpg

Answer 1

Amber,

I'm unsure of the first one myself, but I have seen this before.  I want to say it's some kind of Severum, but I'm not positive.  I agree the second one is clearly a Parrot.  These are both South American types.

If they are spawning, these are going to be cross breeds, and in the cichlid breeding aspect, very much worthless, sorry to say.  It's a practice that's not encouraged.  Cichlids that are sold are sold for decent money only if they are a pure blood line, and not hybrids.  I know you aren't aiming to sell, but if you can discourage them from spawning, this would be a good thing.  Keep them seperated if possible.

What sized tank is this?  I can't tell from the picture.  I'll look a little more to verify what the male is, my guess is it's a Gold Severum, but I'm not positive.  Don't worry about the foods like with question 1.  Feed them any type of flake foods.  Spiralina flakes are my best choice for that.  

Is this tank cycled out?  Also, South Americans prefer lower PH and hardness waters.  If you haven't adjusted for this, then don't worry.  They are already in the tank now, just wondering if you knew your PH and hardness.  If you don't no big deal.

I think the others saying Convicts might be right.  I don't really keep South American's anymore, mostly just Africans.  The facial pattern does seem to match up with a Convict type, but it is hard to say conclusively.  I think the Parrot is out simply because you can look at the mouth type and it doesn't seem to match up with the Parrot mouth type.  That might explain why they might be spawning.  I want to caution right now that should these be Convicts, these fish will spawn and spawn often and spawn very large broods.  It will not be very long before you get overrun with Convict fry.  These fish are the guppies of the cichlid world.

Answer 2

if it is a severum and a parrot, you have a chance of breeding them and making a sweet looking hybrid. people breed parrots with different types of fish all the time and make high value hybrids

good luck!

Answer 3

I'm wanting to say gold severum, but it looks off.

Could very well be a hybrid.

other fish is a washed out convict, or a convict hybrid.

Answer 4

they are both convicts!  Jon V. look again. they are common convict cichlids.

Answer 5

i am not sure with the first two but the last one is definaetly a parrot (red parrot)

Answer 6

I agree with maneatingcatfish's answer.  The large one is a male of the wild type coloration convict cichlid.  While the other one is a female pink convict.  You have a pair.  

For now, they may be frightened or just getting used to their surroundings.  Once they have adjusted, they will become hearty eaters and may breed if given the right conditions.

Goggle search "convict cichlid" or its old scientific name, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, or its newer name, Heros nigrofasciatus, or the most recent one, Amatilania nigrofasciatus.

Answer 7

are we looking at different pictures???!!!   the large one is a male common convict and the small one is a female pink convict. look at the gold/orange color at the belly of the small one..  if i'm wrong i will never offer another answer again..

they are the same fish just different color variations. jon v please take another look at the pictures