"Unknown" Tropheus

[James Shingler]

Does anyone know what these are?
Are they man made?
Are they dyed?
Where are they from?

[Lisachromis]

He spelled phoenix wrong. A quick search of the right spelling got me this:

http://www.bayfish.com.au/category32_3.htm - A fish wholesaler in Australia

http://www.tropheusheads.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=235 - A thread debating these fish.

In fact, any source seems to be Australian.
They do appear to be a linebred variety to me.

From what I've read on a few forums, it appears that even the 'experts' have not seen this fish and do not know it. That alone speaks volumes to me.

[James Shingler]

Thanks thats pretty much what I think now.
Possibly bred from a rare "mutant" oligochromatic Golden Kalambo or a cross of more than one strain of these rare fish.
Oh, I did not know what these were when I first posted. Quite a few guys have been trying to trace were they come from and were they are going.
Seems from various websites that they are from South East Asia and most likely from Taiwan, exported to a major distributor in Singapore....(The Australians can not get fish direct from Africa and have to go through one of a list of countries dealers.)
Hope I never see them again. You would have to pay me a small fortune to give them tank room.
The reddish bits are said to fade during the time they are in dealers tanks.

[KJ]

I would guess They are a domestic colour form of a sp. "black" variant, based on the shape of Their heads. A sorry sight indeed!
Brgds Kim

[Klaus Steinhaus]

These fish are around for a while now and it appears that they originate in Singapore. They are genetically altered to stop the production of the color enhancing pigment called Melanin. In Australia they are offered as wild caught but some sources in Europe have traced these fish back to Singapore. http://tropheini.de/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=2151
It is unfortunate but unavoidable that fish like this get into the hobby. But there is money to be made especially with Tropheus and I am sure that we will see some more of these types around. Some of it is our fault since we hobbyists are willing to pay for new discoveries just about any price but please, i some cases it's "Buyer beware". Do your research before you buy.