Name this fish! (looking for species and other advise)

[little_orange_guy]

Hello, :D
I have been caring for cichlids for quite some time now (over two years). I have had the specimen pictured below for over 18 months. While I have no problem keeping the tank's environment in check, I have had a problem keeping more the one fish in my 20-gallon (long) tank. I have had up to 4 cichlids in this tank at one time, but inevitable they will fight and eventually die. Does anybody have any tips on a companion for the fish bellow? :idea: What species is this guy anyway? :?:

Thank you for any tips you can give!

http://sandone.net/fish/fish_1.jpg

http://sandone.net/fish/fish_2.jpg

[SGypsyMermaid]

looks like a male red zebra(pseudotropheus/metriclima/maylandia estherae. part of your problem is that the tank is too small--it should be a four foot long tank. though many would disagree with me, i would say that you could get away with seven cichlids in a 33 gal(4 ft long) tank that is filled with rocks. these fish need to be kept in large groups so that they can spread their aggression around--otherwise you will almost always end up with just one. :roll:

[little_orange_guy]

SGypsyMermaid,
Thank you for the help. Unfortunately, my current living situation does not allow for a bigger tank. Do you have any suggestions on how I could happily keep two or more fish in my current tank? Maybe two females with my one male? Perhaps adding some more rocks to my tank may help. The tank as it stands right now only has a few places to hide.

Thanks again.

[SGypsyMermaid]

probably, you should opt for a colony of multifasciatus-- tanganyikan shell-dwellers, which are quite small and are willing to live with others of their species. most of the other shellies whicha are small enough, are too ornery to allow more than one pair to live in a 20 gal. long. another option is a pair of leleupi. for either choice, you would need to remove the red zebra, though. :cry: a 20 gal tank is really unsuitable for most cichlids.

[Fred]

I have been looking for one of these fish in New Zealand but have not been able to find one yet
I think it is a (Metriaclima barlowi ) looks like a nice fish by the way

[SGypsyMermaid]

fred, here is a pic of m. barlowi...i don't think that it is the same fish.

http://www.fishopolis.ca/images/gallery/barlowi_male4.jpg