MBUNAS Melanochromis johannii Is very agressive - even the females attack each other. This fish readily accepts vegetable supplements. The male is dark with horizontal stripes, the female golden yellow. Size: 8-10 cm. Pseudotropheus zebra The Malawi blue cichlid was one of the first Mbunas known to aquarists. Its diet is mainly herbivorous. […]
FRESHWATER FISH Protomelas annectens A shy and timid species. The male of the annectens prepares a burrow in the sand for the female’s eggs, which he then fertilizes. She incubates them in her mouth for 2-3 weeks; the fry emerge from their refuge when 7-8 mm in size. Size: 15 cm. Protomelas similis The dark […]
CICHLIDAE: LAKE MALAWI SPECIES Cyrtocara moorii The adults of the blue lumphead have a bulging forehead, more prominent in the males. Rather timid, C. moorii seeks out sandy areas of the lake bed with rocks to demarcate its territory. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth for 3 weeks. Size: 20 cm. […]
FRESHWATER FISH Tropheus moorii The moorii seeks out rocky zones with clear water and a supply of algae, and so requires supplements of vegetable material in captivity. The males will fight for territory. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth; as they are larger than those of other species, she can only hold a […]
CICHLIDAE: LAKE TANGANYIKA SPECIES Though not particularly aggressive, N. sexfasciatus should not share a tank with smaller species. The female lays her eggs in a shelter, on the underside of the roof, with the fry not emerging till a week or so later. Size: 8-10 cm. Neolamprologus tetracanthus The tetracanthus is a Cichlid which […]
Julidochromis dickfeldi Dickfeld’s julie can be distinguished by its background coloration, often darker than that of its cousins, and by the blue border on the fins. Size: 8 cm. Julidochromis regani One of the largest julies, the striped julie or convict julie can grow to 15 cm; other species usually measure 7-9 cm. The English […]
CICHLIDAE - Geophagus brasiliensis The pearl cichlid can exceed 20 cm in length and is highly teritorial; it is essential to keep it in a large tank with similar-sized species. Tolerates water with average pH and hardness levels, but you will need to carry out regular changes. Uaru amphiacanthoides Rather slow and […]
FRESHWATER FISH Other American species There are still more American members of this family. Some of the smaller ones are deservedly popular on account of their coloration and behavior, while others are giants requiring an aquarium of commensurate size. Aequidens maroni The keyhole cichlid is tranquil, even timid, and needs a wellplanted tank […]
Discus A native of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the discus is often considered the most beautiful and regal of all freshwater fish. It lives in calm, clear waters with soft and acidic properties. Tranquil and peaceable, the discus is a leisurely swimmer, exhibiting stress reactions in the presence of livelier species. The best tankmates […]