Desperately Need Help ID'ing mbuna

[Acei]

I recently picked up this mbuna from a Cichlid Specialty LFS that was shutting down thier cichlid stuff in favor of saltwater. They had all the africans in a mixed "grab bag" tank, so I don't know what they were selling them as. When I purchased him, I assumed he was one of the afra varieties or maybe an Elongatus variety. When I got him home, I began trying to match him to pics on the net to verify what variety he is, so that I can start looking for the appropriate female. The problem is that I can't find anything that looks like him. So far the closest I've found is Pseudotropheus ater (aka Black Elongatus), but I've never heard of this fish being available to US hobbyists, so I'm not sure. Attached is a pic of him. I would really appreciate any help that anyone can give... Thanks...

[spryandspringy]

My best guess would be Copadichromis "Mloto Midnight".




Hey, are you going to ACA 2005 in Fort Worth in a couple weeks?

[Acei]

Well, that's a good guess, the color is right on, but the body shape and personality don't match with a Copad Sp.

[newpark]

Could well be a cyno - I've had juvies look like that. Could also be a young Nkhata Bay zebra.

[Acei]

Well I thought it might be a cyno as well. But through further investigation I've been able to verify that it's a Petrotilapia nigra.

[Philippe Burnel]

impossible to give a name with these pics.

[Acei]

Well Philippe, I got with the dealer that imported the fish. He confirmed for me that it is a young Petrotilapia nigra