Valid name:    Lithochromis rubripinnis

Synonym:    Haplochromis sp "Blue Pseudonigricans"

Common name:    Blue Pseudonigricans

Location:    Lake Victoria

Adult male size:    5 inches (12 cm)

Diet:   

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Personal Notes:  I purchased 2M:6F cichlids labeled simply as "Blue Victorians" in February of 2007.  I initially thought that I had Lithochromis rubripinnis.  Although there is a lot about this fish that makes me believe that this is what it may be, I suspect that it is more likely a hybrid.  The male on male aggression was extreme and the subdominant male didn't survive for long.  The dominant male grew very quickly and kept one of the females holding nearly all the time.  I never distributed any fry due to my concerns about the purity of the colony.

The dominant coloration is very dark blue, sometimes almost black

In a less dominant mood, the blue lightens and the stripes appear in the above male.

One of the more disturbing attributes of these fish is the lack of consistency in the appearance of the females.  Horizontal stripes, vertical stripes and no stripes at all, as you can see above.

Above they are breeding under a rock:

Above are some pictures of juvenile males.  I have some serious doubts about the purity and identification of this fish.

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