[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Cichlids – Asian and African cichlids

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Cichlids

Asian and African cichlids

Orange Chromide (Etroplus maculatus)

• ORIGINS: Asia, found in western coastal areas of India and Sri Lanka.
• SIZE: 3 in (7.5 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–79°F (20–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Not aggressive.

These pale-yellow cichlids have a regular pattern of orange spots running over the body, as well as faint blue markings. Selective breeding has led to the creation of a more orange variant. Unlike most cichlids, this species benefits from being kept in slightly brackish water, especially when breeding, since it protects the eggs from fungal attack. After spawning on rockwork, a pair will guard the site and watch over their young in special pits.

Green Chromide (Etroplus suratensis)

• ORIGINS: Asia, occurring in coastal parts of India and also Sri Lanka.
• SIZE: 18 in (45 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Can be intolerant.

Green Chromides display variable coloration, with dark brown vertical stripes on the body, dominating the background green. These fish are less colorful and grow significantly larger than Orange Chromides (see left). They also benefit from being kept in a brackish environment, although Greens can readily be maintained in fresh water. There is no way of distinguishing gender; the throats of both sexes turn black when breeding.

Eyespot Krib (Pelvicachromis subocellatus)

• ORIGINS: Western Africa, where it is widely distributed, from Gabon to the Congo River in Zaire.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial when breeding.

These cichlids vary greatly in appearance, but they usually have blackish bands along the body, pinkish underparts, and often an eye-spot on the tail. Males are larger than females and have longer pelvic fins, and their dorsal and anal fins are more pointed. The female’s color is at its finest just prior to spawning, which occurs in caves, with the male driving away fish that venture too close. Eyespot Kribs sometimes occur in brackish waters.

Yellow Krib (Pelvicachromis humilis)

• ORIGINS: West Africa, where it occurs in parts of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southeastern Guinea.
• SIZE: 5 in (13 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial when breeding.

The upperparts of the Yellow Krib’s body are dark olive-green with darker vertical bars. Males are larger and have yellow underparts, while females are whitish beneath with violet or red on the belly. At least three different localized color variants are known. Kribs occur in areas of forest, so they need a relatively dark aquarium, with floating plants to diffuse the lighting. A number of caves should be included in the tank; clay flowerpots buried in the gravel are ideal for this purpose. Prior to spawning, these cichlids start digging in the substrate. When displaying, the female performs a series of shimmering movements to attract her mate. She stays with the brood until they are free-swimming and have emerged from the cave after about a week. They can then be left together as a family group; the young cichlids require foods such as brine shrimp.

Bar-Tailed Dwarf Cichlid (Nanochromis parilus)

• ORIGINS: Africa, occurring in the Zaire River basin, especially in the vicinity of Stanley Pool.
• SIZE: 3 in (8 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The red streaks on the caudal fin help to explain why these colorful and attractive dwarf cichlids are described as Bar-Tailed. These fish can be sexed quite easily, since the males are larger, and their dorsal and anal fins also taper to more evident points. In addition, females tend to have more pinkish underparts. Their tank needs to be well planted, and the addition of aquarium peat to the filtration system is also recommended. Plenty of retreats are important because Bar-Tailed Dwarf Cichlids are cave-spawners. A female typically lays about 100 eggs in her chosen cave. She guards them while her mate patrols outside and aggressively chases off other males. Once the fry are free-swimming, both the male and female will watch over them. Small live foods are vital for successful rearing at this stage, with regular partial water changes becoming increasingly significant as the young grow larger.

South African Mouth-Brooder (Pseudocrenilabrus philander)

• ORIGINS: Southern Africa, from Angola, southern Zaire, and Mozambique down to South Africa.
• SIZE: 4 1⁄2 in (11 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, flake, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–79°F (20–26°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive and territorial.

The variations in the size and color of these fish reflect their wide distribution. In all cases, though, only the male, pictured above, shows a red spot near the rear of the anal fin and gold on the flanks; the female is much duller. Decorate the aquarium with plants set in pots and rockwork retreats. South African Mouth-Brooders burrow repeatedly into the base of the aquarium when spawning.

EGYPTIAN MOUTH-BROODER

Mouth-brooding is best documented in the cichlids of Africa’s Rift Valley, but it is also a feature of other cichlids in East Africa, including the Egyptian Mouth-Brooder (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor), shown below. In most mouth-brooders, the female collects the falling eggs in her mouth, where they are then fertilized by sperm from the male. In the Egyptian, however, the eggs are laid in a pit in the substrate and fertilized there, after which the female gathers them up. The Egyptian lays a relatively large number of eggs—typically about 100—while other species produce only as many as they can fit in their mouths.

Jewel Fish (Hemichromis bimaculatus)

• ORIGINS: West Africa, found in forested areas from southern Guinea to central Liberia.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, flake, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 70–77°F (21–25°C); soft (50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive when spawning.

The reddish coloration of these cichlids becomes even more vibrant when they are spawning. Both sexes display the three black blotches along the body, but males may be identified by the presence of a pattern of fine spots on the sides of the head. Compatibility can be a problem, but established pairs will breed readily, with the female laying up to 500 eggs on a flat rock in a secluded part of the tank. These should hatch in two days.

Lifalili Cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili)

• ORIGINS: Western Central Africa, occurring in various lakes and rivers in Congo and Zaire.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, flake, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive when spawning.

The reddish color of these cichlids is offset by pale blue spots. Colors become more vibrant in the male at spawning time, while the female turns darker. Breeding requirements are similar to those of the Lilalili Cichlid—well-oxygenated water and a diet of live foods will improve results. After hatching, the fry are closely guarded by their parents and are regularly moved from one spawning pit to another.