Identification help...

[chrisnif]

Based upon your description it is DEFINITELY a vensustus... the "blotches" <upon more careful examination> actually form 4-5 vertical-ish bars and the fish is not dull at all, in fact almost as yellow as the white belly yellow labs I've seen at the LFS around here.

Originally Posted by Chromedome

Juvie Cichlids tend to shoal for protection. As they mature, they develop the territorial instinct and separate before becoming sexually active. In some species the females will continue to shoal, seeking out the dominant male only when they are ready to breed.

Of the five species of Nimbochromis in the hobby, only N. venustus has a vertical orientation to the blotches. Note the center blotch on Kingchris444's youngster, it has a bar extending down to the belly. The other four species would all have bars coming out horizontally, if at all. N. fuscotaeniatus has a very elongated head, N. linni has the odd downturned mouth, N. polystigma has a lot of tiny spots all over the body and fins, and N. livingstonei has very nebulous blotches and a dull color that makes it look like a dead fish (to suit their hunting method in the wild). The males of all species become very blue and may even lose their spots when courting, but at mature sizes they are more distinctive in body shape.

I believe hybridization is possible, but for some reason very rare. Only possible hybrids I've seen shared characteristics of venustus and livingstonei, currently the two most common species.