Mbuna Cichlids

Labeotropheus fuelleborni

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:41:26 +0000

Labeotropheus fuelleborni

Maximum size (min-max): 13 - 18 cm ( 5.12 - 7.09 in )

pH of water: 7.5 - 8.8
Water hardness (dGH): 12 - 30 °N
Recommended temperature: 21 - 28 °C ( 69.8 - 82.4 °F )
Temperament to its family: peaceful (read this answer)
Temperament to other fish species: aggressive (read this answer)
Place in the aquarium: Middle levels
The way of breeding: Spawning
Fish origin: Africa

Labeotropheus Trewavasae

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:19:09 +0000

Labeotropheus trewavasae

Note: Likely synonymous with L. trewavasae “ochre” at Chilumba; females may be grayish, OB, or O (orange) as shown above

Distribution: Mpanga, Lake Malawi

Maximum Size: 150 mm (6 in)

Maturity: 75 mm (3 in)

Food: Herbivore; mix of dry foods

Reference: Konings (1995, 2001); Cichlid Fish of Lake Malawi

Pseudotropheus Polit

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:59:44 +0000

by Ben Moremon

Species information

Species: Pseudotropheus sp. ‘polit’

Synoma: none known

Common name: Polit

Origin: Africa – Lake Malawi

Localities/Morphs: Lion’s Cove

Maximum size: 12cm

Natural habitat: Some males will defend a territory several meters in diameter while others will happily defend a small cave. Females will school around the outer perimeter of the male’s territory until enticed by a dancing male.

Natural foods/prey: Vegetable matter. When you look closely you will notice their white lips. The pigment is lighter due to their consistent greasing.

Water chemistry in the wild: Ph 7.8 – 8.5. Temp 25-28 Degrees Celsius. Up to 20dH.

Predators: Anything with a large enough mouth that’s quick enough to catch one.

Brood size: Depending on the time between spawns, can be anywhere from 6 to 25 fry. Commonly only 12.

Sexual dimorphism: Males have light blue bodies and dark heads with two conspicuous white interorbital bars. However, males are known for their ability to change colour from full spawning dress to female colouration in a second. Females have a light purple-brown colouration without bars once they reach sexual maturity.

Breeding method: Maternal mouth brooder, incubation about 26 days. A brooding female will hide amongst rocks or will school with large numbers of other females.

Husbandry requirements

Minimum tank size: 280 litres – due to the males territorial behaviour.

Sex ratio: 2m/10f works well. 1m/3f would be fine.

Tolerance of conspecifics: Males will hassle females to spawn even while they are brooding, a good size colony is required to dissipate aggression and to give the female a chance to hold full term. Two males will fight mouth to mouth however, rarely damage each other, in fact they often don’t even make contact.

Tolerance of heterospecifics: Even though a small mbuna, the dominant male polit will rule the tank over fish twice his size.

Water chemistry in aquaria: A very hardy fish that will tolerate most water conditions with a ph above neutral. Given the right conditions they will breed like rabbits.

Temperature range: 25-28 Degrees Celsius. Have had them, in times of heater problems, survive temps between 24 and 32 Degrees Celsius.

Foods accepted: Everything I have tried they have eaten.

Special requirements: Don’t require any special attention

I have read many articles about the aggression between males and between the dominant male and his females, but haven’t seen any signs of increased aggression with polits over any other Pseudotropheus. Have had huge success keeping two males and 11 females in a 4×2×2 with a large cave at each end of the tank and some PVC piping in the 2 top back corners of the tank. In fact my males tend to allow the females to swim freely around the bottom of the tank while each male will take over one side of the tanks group of PVC piping.

Still quiet a new fish to our shores, they require company in the aquarium. Preferably an open water species like a furcifer to help entice them out into the open water. I have four 5 to 6cm furcifer in the 4×2×2 with my colony and ever since I introduced the furcifer the polits have been much less skittish.

Pseudotropheus Demasoni

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:43:59 +0000

Maximum size (min-max): 4 - 8 cm ( 1.57 - 3.15 in )
pH of water: 8 - 8.9
Water hardness (dGH): 10 - 18 °N
Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C ( 71.6 - 82.4 °F )
Temperament to its family: aggressive (read this answer)
Temperament to other fish species: aggressive (read this answer)
Place in the aquarium: Middle levels
The way of breeding: Spawning
Fish origin: Africa

Short description Food and feeding
A low protein diet should be given to this fish with vegetable matter included. Spirulina flake with a variety of cichlid pellets or sticks should provide the staple food. Try to avoid meaty foods as they are full of protein.

Origin
Africa; these fish are endemic to Lake Malawi.

Sexing
Although there is no difference in the coloration or markings, the males tend to be more aggressive and bolder than the females.

Breeding
These fish are mouth brooders and the males can be quite enthusiastic when it comes to breeding time. Provide some flat surfaces in the tank for the spawning areas, flat rocks are ideal. The female will brood the eggs for 2-3 weeks but when the fry are released, they can be fed on cyclopeeze or newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan
The expected life span for this fish is 8 years.

Short description
Due to the aggressiveness of this fish, a species tank is the best option. Try to keep the number of males down compared to the females and stock quite heavily compared to other set ups. Because of the large stocking level, a large weekly water change is a must.

http://www.aqua-fish.net

Labidochromis Mbamba

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:45:10 +0000

Labidochromis Mbamba

Genus [+]:Labidochromis

Species [+]:

sp. “Mbamba”

Common names [+]:

Yellow Top Mbamba

Continent : Africa

Region [+]: Lake Malawi

Location [+]: Mbamba Bay Island and coast south of Mbamba Bay Tanzania (1)

pH Range [+]: 7.4 - 8.4

GH Range [+]: 120 - 180

KH Range [+]: 30 - 150

Temperature Range [+]: 75 to 82

Male Size [+]: 3 inch/7.5 cm to 3.5 inch/8.25 cm

Female Size [+]: 2.5 inch/6.25 cm to 3 inch/7.5 cm

Minimum tank size [+]: 40 gal. or 151L long

Diet [+]: Herbivore

Dimorphic [+]: No

Dichromatic [+]: Yes

Parenting [+]: Maternal

Reproductive method [+]: Ovophilus Mouth Brooder

Difficulty [+]: Beginner

Intra-species Aggression [+]: Average

Inter-species Aggression [+]: Mild

Juvenile Aggression [+]: Mild

Labidochromis Hongi

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:24:21 +0000

labidochromis hongi

Common Names: Hongi Red Top, Hongi Red Top kimpuma
Synonyms:
Family: Cichlidae
Category: Cichlids
Distribution: Africa; Found in lake malawi and around Hongi island.
Main Ecosystem: Lake; Lake
Temperament: Territorial; Will defend its terriory especially when breeding… Loves caves.
Diet: Herbivore; Herbivore
Care: Need 30 gallon tank minimum… likes groups. When it feels safe in its habitat, it will become very active. Loves to dig.
pH: 7.4 - 8.6

Temperature: 22C - 26C (72F - 79F)
Hardness: 12 - 20 dH

Potential Size: Male: 15cm (5.9″)
Female: 15cm (5.9″)
Water Region: All; All
Activity: Diurnal; Diurnal
Gender: Males grow larger and seem to have more prodominant colors.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Aggressive when mating. Male is slightly overattentive of the female. Needs caves. Will circle as spawning.
Variants:
Comments: Great fish!!!
Main Colours: Purple, Yellow, Orange
Markings: Striped Vertical
Mouth: Normal
Tail: Convex
Submitted By: Daniel

Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis Caeruleus)

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:06:50 +0000

Labidochromis caeruleus

Scientific Name(s): Labidochromis caeruleus

Common Name(s): Yellow lab, Electric yellow lab, Canary cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Species Type: African Cichlids, Lake Malawi

Maximum Size: 4 inches

Life Span: 10 years

Natural Habitat: African Lake Malawi

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

Tank Region: All over

Possible Tank Mates: Most other mbuna cichlids from malawi will work.

Description: One of the most commonly kept african cichlid species. The Yellow lab is not overly aggressive and works well with several other african cichlid species. The yellow lab is characterized by a bright yellow body and black stripes on the dorsal fin. Black may appear on other fins as well.

Temperature Range 72°F - 82°F

Pseudotropheus Socolofi

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:58:08 +0000

Pseudotropheus socolofi

Common name:	Powder Blue cichlid, Pindani
Scientific name:	Pseudotropheus socolofi
Synonyms:	(none)
Size:	4″ (10cm)
Origin:	Lake Malawi, East Africa.
Tank setup:	A large tank (4ft/122cm plus) with many rock caves.
Compatibility:	Combine with other mbuna, a less aggressive species.
Temperature:	23-28^oC (73-82^oF)
Water chemistry:	Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12 ideally, but at least 5-6.
Feeding:	Herbivore - include a vegetable component in the diet, such as flake or pellets with a high content of vegetable matter and/or spirulina algae.
Sexing:	The sexes are identical in colour, but males have larger egg-spots and longer ventral fins, usually with more obvious black edges.
Breeding:	Mouthbrooder. Breeding males will defend a territory.
Comments:	A fairly commonly encountered mbuna, which is not overly aggressive and makes a colourful addition to any mbuna tank.

Cynotilapia sp. “Black Eastern”

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:07:24 +0000

Black Eastern

Cynotilapia sp. “Chinyankwazi”

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:39:31 +0000