Page 153 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CICHLIDS/LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS 151

Copadichromis borleyi Pseudotropheus joanjohnsonae Melanochromis auratus
Red Kadango Pearl of Likoma Auratus Cichlid

ORIGINS East Africa, found only in Lake Malawi, where ORIGINS East Africa, in eastern Lake Malawi; also ORIGINS East Africa, occurring in eastern Lake Malawi,
it is widely distributed. introduced into the southwest part of the lake. where it is encountered around the rocky shoreline.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods, vegetable matter, live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Quite peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Males are territorial but not destructive. TEMPERAMENT Males are territorial and aggressive.
Sexing is simple in this largely bluish species,
which is found off Likoma Island, because only the Blue morph
males display the black stripe that runs the length from near
Likoma Island
of the dorsal fin. Males also have yellow egg spots
on the anal fin. These are absent in the mouth-
brooding females, which have more pronounced
reddish markings on their bodies. Males are Male’s blue
aggressive toward one another and should be stripe extends
kept apart. House a single male with several through the eye
females in a single-species setup.
The coloration of Red Kadangos is quite variable. This was one of the first Lake
While males tend to have blue heads and orange Malawi species to be kept by aquarists, and it
bodies, females are silvery with golden-yellow remains popular today. Females of the species
markings on their fins. In the wild, these fish are carry conspicuous golden bands on their flanks;
found in rocky areas with sand nearby. Include in males, the band is blue. Tanks housing these
large rocks in the tank to provide sites where fish should include rocky areas, since spawning
males can establish their territories. Females will naturally takes place in caves. Females are
produce 30–60 eggs, and the young emerge from Male mouth-brooders, and several should be housed
their mother’s mouth after about three weeks. in the company of an individual male.

Maylandia zebra
MOTION DETECTORS
Zebra Cichlid Tangerine morph, the dorsal fin has an orange
shade. Individuals with heavily barred bodies Some cichlids, notably the Aulonocaras
ORIGINS East Africa, in Lake Malawi, mainly in the north usually originate from clearer waters. There is (which means “pipe-heads”), have large
and northwest, but also on the eastern shoreline. also a variation in size, with the largest fish found sensory pores on their heads. These work in
SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (12 cm). around Makulawe Point, off Likoma Island. These conjunction with the lateral line to detect
1
DIET Flake, live foods, and vegetable matter. cichlids occur only in rocky areas, grazing on algae movements in the water. Being inhabitants
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard with their enlarged lips. In aquariums, they benefit of relatively deep, dark water, the cichlids use
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). from the addition of spirulina algae to their diet. the pores to locate invertebrate prey that
TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial. This is another matriarchal, mouth-brooding may be near the head but not visible in the
species, with the young emerging gloomy surroundings. This sensory system may
As with many of the lake cichlids, the about three weeks after also have other functions, such as helping
coloration of the Zebra Cichlid varies mating has occurred. the fish to home in on their eggs after
throughout its range. The body is spawning and helping females to keep track of
typically bluish, with males displaying their fry. The pores should not be confused
yellow egg spots on the ventral fins (see with hole-in-the-head disease (see p.58), an
below). However, in the case of the ailment sometimes encountered in cichlids.

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