12 replies to this topic

[dazzabozza]

These fish are quite similar. Can anyone keeping either Labidochromis chisumulae or nkali post up pics of their fish, in particular dominant males for comparision?

I'm keen to see what's in Oz (not random google pics).


Daz

[Riggers]

I've got some chisumulae Daz I'll get a few snaps for ya ASAP!!



Sorry bout the blur bro...

[dazzabozza]

Here are some of my chisumulae.





Is anyone keeping both and can clearly ID the difference between them?

My first impression was the nkali had finer barring and more of them but I'm not 100% if this is reliable. Nkali have blacker dorsals?

[tranced]

az had both at the same time, he should be able to tell you

[cichlid4lyf]

I think the chisumulae's have more of a blue body
And nkali seem to have more shades of black scales with darker barring. HTH

Phil

[Fox]

These are profiles from my forum, They are done by me. They may come in handy for you Dazza.

Labidochromis chisumulae
Scientific Name: Labidochromis chisumulae
Pronunciation: Lab-id-e-o-cro-mis chiz-sum-u-lay
Trade Name(s): Chisumulae
Distribution: Chizumulu Island
Habitat: Rocky reefs.
Diet: Aufwuchs, invertebrates & insects.
Sexing: Male's are light blue/white with blue/black barring with blue/black dorsal.
Females are white with faint barring.
Maximum Size: 11cm
Temperature: 24 to 26c
pH: 7.5 to 9.0
Water Hardness: 300-400ppm
Availability: Becoming Available in Oz.
Comments: A very pretty species and somewhat peaceful like Labidiochromis caeruleus, thought to be a part of the Labidiochromis caeruleus group.
Males in breeding dress are a beautiful sight. They are becoming more popular in Australia and therefore becoming easier to obtain as people start breeding them.
Page # Malawi Cichlids In Their Natural Habitat Vol 4: 142
Retail Value: $20 - $35 @ 4-5cm









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Labidochromis caeruleus Lundo Island 'nakali'
Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus Lundo Island 'nakali'
Pronunciation: Lab-id-e-o-cro-mis sa-rule-e-us Nah-car-lee
Trade Name(s): Nakali
Distribution: Lundo Island
Habitat: Rocky areas.
Diet: Aufwuchs, Algae, Insects & Snails.
Sexing: Male's are a whitish color with dark blue/black barring through to the dorsal.
Females are white with faint barring.
Maximum Size: 11cm
Temperature: 24 to 26c
pH: 7.5 to 9.0
Water Hardness: 300-400ppm
Availability: Rarely Available in Oz.
Comments: One of the location variants of Labidochromis caeruleus, the Nakali is a stunning little Mbuna with plenty of color.
They a very similar to Labidochromis chisumulae in color and positive ID is only 100% with the 2 species side by side. Nakali are more white than Labidochromis chisumulae.
Page # Malawi Cichlids In Their Natural Habitat Vol 4: 139 as Lundo Island (7)
Retail Value: $40 - $50 @ 4-5cm

[dazzabozza]

Cheers Az. Great work on the profiles!

Did you come to the conclusion of any other identifiers seperating the 2 other than colour?

I noticed in the last vid your nkali does show a bit of blue depending on the angle whereas the chisumulae seems to appear blue at any angle.


Daz

[sandgroper]

Dazz, Malawi Cichlids in their natural habitat 4th edition has a picture of both side by side page 138- 139, even has a map showing their collection points. Steve

[dazzabozza]

Cheers Steve I'll check it out.

Does it showing the nkali with or without the black banding? I believe there's yet another variant that is pure white (no banding) but the nkali name has been messed up within the trade somewhere. Nkhata Bay rings a bell...

[sandgroper]

It shows it with the barring, it in fact shows all the Labidochromis caeruleus group about 12 different locations and there is an all white one, Cape Kaiser ( no black at all) the Nkhata Bay has the black edging to the fins and dorsal Steve

[mattrox]

In my experience females are the more easy to tell apart when trying to ID a colony. Nkhali has a grey (faded black) band on the doral, it is quite clear. Chisumulae females have much less colouration and are almost an irridescent white.

Chisumulae



Nkhali
Notice the grey but distinct band on these females, the picture isn't the best, but these are 3 females and the band is noticable in the 2 fish in the foreground.

[dazzabozza]

Cheers for your post Mattrox. Never thought of focusing on the girls.

Looking at the last vid Az provided can you make out the grey in the girls?

[mattrox]

When the females turn 90 degrees to the camera you can see the grey stripe.

Of course there is individual difference in fish and all fish are not alike, but when looking at a colony this has been something I find reasonably consistent.