INFO - "PERSPICAX"

NAME: Perspicax (Orange Cap)


GENUS: Pseudotropheus


SPECIES: Perspicax


ENDEMIC TO: Lake Malawi - AFRICA


MAX SIZE: 8.5cm


WATER PARAMETERS: 24-28c / ph 7.2 to 8.5


CLASS: Mouth brooding Mbuna


SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: Male Perspicax possess much stronger colours than their female counter parts. They are larger in size and exhibit a solid cobalt blue from head to tail. Males from this species will also acquire a red/orange highlight through their dorsal and pelvic fins. Females are a rusty brown colour with a pale orange in their fins.
Egg dummies may be present in the anal fin of male Perpicax however diagnosis is most accurate via the vents of the fish at a sexually mature age.


TEMPERAMENT: Perspicax are a typical mbuna in that they will defend their territory vigorously especially when breeding. Although a smaller species of the Pseudotropheus family, these fish are capable of displaying high levels of aggression to fish of the same size.


DIET REQUIREMENTS: Pseudotropheus Perspicax are herbivorous and their diet in the wild consist of predominantly algae and other vegetation however they also opportunistically feed on insects and small invertebrates. In captivity, they readily take dry foods (sinking pellets/flakes), frozen blood worms/brine shrimp and live foods. Vegetable or spirulina based foods are ideal but it is recommended that you provide your fish with a varied diet by supplementing with frozen or live foods at least once a week to further ensure your fish remain vibrant and healthy. Excessive intake of protein to this family of fish may cause health problems.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

• Typical mbuna. Most suited to habitat with plenty of caves and crevices.


• Perspicax are best housed with haplochromides or in a single species tank for breeding purposes. It is advised to keep this species separated from other Pseudotropheus sp to prevent interbreeding.
  Selecting juveniles at a size of 5cm should allow you to differentiate males and females. Males from the batch will be bigger and more colourful.


• Perspicax will breed comfortably in colonies of 2 male and 4 females. The more counterparts in the colony will mean the mouth brooding female has better opportunities to escape constant harassment from dominant males.


• Generally an adult mouth brooding female will hold up to 20 eggs.
  From date of spawning, fry should be free swimming after 14 days depending on water temperature.

• Due to their overall size, the mother's mouth may provide difficulties when extracting young manually. Their broods are significantly smaller than other Pseudotropheus species however where Perspicax lack in tails per spawn they make up in frequency of breeding.


• Easy to House and rear. Raise temperatures and feed live foods to optimise breeding.


• Perspicax are easy to breed provided it is contained in a healthy environment and dominant males are not in competition with other more larger species in the aquarium.


• On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the hardest) this species scores a 3 for ease of breeding.


• Perspicax may be housed in a community aquarium but males generally display best colours in the absence of larger Zebra species.

photos courtesy of bayfish.com.au

Aquarium Photos - Malaysia and Thailand

The above images include photos of Arapaima Gigas, Freshwater Stingray, Cyphotilapia Frontosa, Red Tail Characins, Asian Arowanas, Blood Parrot Cichlids (HYBRID), C. Temensis, Saltwater Turtles, Silver Arowanas, Moray Eels and Assorted Cichlids.

Photos Courtesy of Andrew C NSW Australia.

INFO - "KINGSIZEI".

NAME: Kingsizei

GENUS: Pseudotropheus

SPECIES: Kingsizei (Lupingu - Gold/ Likoma - Blue)

ENDEMIC TO: Lake Malawi - AFRICA

MAX SIZE: 12.5cm

WATER PARAMETERS: 24-28c / ph 7.2 to 8.5

CLASS: Mouth brooding Mbuna

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: This species of Pseudotropheus is sexually dimorphic. Of the 2 colour variants the Likoma Blue Kingsizei is more dimorphic than its cousin. Blue Kingsizei males are a cobalt blue with vertical black barring down the lateral sides of their body. The black colouration extends to their caudal (tail), anal and pelvic fins. Males also exhibit a white blaze through their dorsal. Blue Kingsizei females are predominantly a brown base with black bars and have an irredescent yellow shading through their finnage. Diagnosis is most accurate via the vents of the fish at a mature age. Both (m + f) Gold Kingsizei are very similar in colour. Males display stronger gold and blue colours with extended dorsal fins where as their female counter parts are duller and smaller in size. Egg spots are more prominent in the males of the latter species.

TEMPERAMENT: Kingsizei carry traits and characteristics of any typical mbuna. They will defend their territory vigorously especially pre and post breeding. They are not overly dominant towards other tank inhabitants and due to their smaller size will not cause damage to the extent of other larger zebra species.

DIET REQUIREMENTS: Pseudotropheus Kingsizei are herbivorous and their diet in the wild consist of predominantly algae and other vegetation however they also opportunistically feed on insects and small invertebrates. In captivity, they readily take dry foods (sinking pellets/flakes), frozen blood worms/brine shrimp and live foods. Vegetable or spirulina based foods are ideal but it is recommended that you provide your fish with a varied diet by supplementing with frozen or live foods at least once a week to further ensure your fish remain vibrant and healthy. Excessive intake of protein to this family of fish may cause health problems.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

• Typical mbuna. Most suited to habitat with plenty of caves and crevices.


• This species of Pseudotropheus has been re-classified into the Metriaclima GENUS.


• Although Lupingu GOLD and Likoma BLUE Kingsizei are distinctively different in colouration their temperament and attributes are almost identical.


• Kingsizei are best housed with haplochromides or in a single species tank for breeding purposes. It is advised to keep this species separated from other Pseudotropheus sp to prevent interbreeding.


• Selecting juveniles at a size of 5-6cm should allow you to differentiate males and females. Males from the batch will be bigger and more colourful.


• Kingsizei will breed comfortably in colonies of 1 male and 3 females. The more counterparts in the colony will mean the mouth brooding female has better opportunities to escape constant harassment from dominant males.


• Generally an adult mouth brooding female will hold up to 20 eggs.


• From date of spawning, fry should be free swimming after 14 days depending on water temperature.


• Easy to House and rear. Raise temperatures and feed live foods to optimise breeding.


• Kingsizei are moderately easy to breed provided it is contained in a healthy environment and dominant males are not in competition with other more larger species in the aquarium.
• On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the hardest) this species scores a 5 for ease of breeding.
• Kingsizei may be housed successfully in a community aquarium provided there is ample caves to seek refuge in the event of harrassment via larger African species.
  

photos courtesy of poissons.aliceblogs and www.cichlids.net.

INFO - "TREWAVASAE"

NAME: Trewavasae Cichlid

GENUS: Labeotropheus

SPECIES: Trewavasae

ENDEMIC TO: Lake Malawi - AFRICA

MAX SIZE: 15cm

WATER PARAMETERS: 24-28c / ph 7.2 to 8.5

CLASS: Mouth brooding Mbuna

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: L. Trewavasae females are always a light cream/yellow or off white based fish either with black spots or without. Male colouration varies as their are several variants. In the OB(orange blotch) variety both sexes remain the same colour until dominant males begin to acquire highlights of red, blue or orange in their fins and body.
Egg spots in the male's anal fin region are very prominent in the OB species.
Males and females are sexually dimorphic from birth in the other variants of Trewavasae as males begin life as a dark navy blue colour. Male Trewavasae will exhibit colours ranging from red dorsals, blue, yellow and orange. When uncertain, diagnosis is most accurate via the vents of the fish.

TEMPERAMENT: Males can be extremely territorial especially towards their own species. Males in breeding condition will terrorise females to a point of missing scales and fins so adequate space in the aquarium and caves for the female to seek refuge must be available.


DIET REQUIREMENTS: Trewavasae are herbivores and in their natural environment predominantly feed on algae and vegetation. They also opportunistically feed on crustaceans, insects and small invertebrates. In captivity, they readily take dry foods (sinking pellets/flakes), frozen blood worms/brine shrimp and live foods. Varying their diet is a healthy practise but bear in mind their primary food should be a source high in vegetable content.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

• Typical mbuna species most suited to habitat with plenty of caves and rockery.
  
• Their distinct under turned mouth structure is an adaptation for this species to constantly graze food (algae) off caves and rock ledges.
  
• L.Trewavasae is a smaller species than L.Fuelleborni.. Trewavasae are also slender and longer in their overall body length.
  
• Their jaw structure makes extracting fry manually more of an effort. Be firm with opening the brooding female's mouth but be weary to not cause damage.
  
• Selecting breeding stock is relatively easy as juvenile fish at 5-6cm should exhibit sexual differences in all the variants of Fuelleborni.
• This species is most successful when kept in colonies of 2 males and 4 females.
  
• For breeding purposes, do not house species from the Labeotropheus family together, as they will inter breed.
  
• Generally an adult mouth brooding female will hold up to 35 eggs.
  
• From date of spawning, fry should be free swimming after 12 days depending on water temperature.
• Easy to House and rear. Raise temperatures and feed live foods to optimise breeding.
• On a scale of 1-10 (ten being hard) Trewavasae scores a 5 for ease of breeding.
• Labeotropheus is capable of co-existing with other cichlids in a community aquarium.
  

photos courtesy of Ad Konings -flickr.com/capefearcichlids.com/plecos.com

INFO - "FUELLEBUORNI"

NAME: Fuelleborni Cichlid

GENUS: Labeotropheus

SPECIES: Fuelleborni

ENDEMIC TO: Lake Malawi - AFRICA

MAX SIZE: 15cm

WATER PARAMETERS: 24-28c / ph 7.2 to 8.5

CLASS: Mouth brooding Mbuna

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: L.Fuelleborni females are always a light cream/yellow/off white based fish either with black spots or without. Male colouration varies as their are several variants. In the OB(orange blotch) variety both sexes remain the same colour until dominant males begin to acquire highlights of red, blue or orange in their fins and body.
Egg spots in the male's anal fin region are very prominent in the OB species.
Males and females are sexually dimorphic from birth in the other variants of Fuelleborni as males begin life as a dark navy blue colour. Male Fuelleborni will exhibit colours ranging from red dorsals, blue, yellow and orange. When uncertain, diagnosis is most accurate via the vents of the fish.

TEMPERAMENT: Males can be extremely territorial especially towards their own species. Males in breeding condition will terrorise females to a point of missing scales and fins so adequate space in the aquarium and caves for the female to seek refuge must be available.


DIET REQUIREMENTS: Fuellebornis are herbivores and in their natural environment predominantly feed on algae and vegetation. Their nature also leads them to occasionally feed on crustaceans, insects and small invertebrates. In captivity, they readily take dry foods (sinking pellets/flakes), frozen blood worms/brine shrimp and live foods. Varying their diet is a healthy practise but bear in mind their primary food source should be high in vegetable content.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

• Typical mbuna species most suited to habitat with plenty of caves and rockery.
  
• Their distinct under turned mouth structure is an adaptation for this species to constantly graze food (algae) off caves and rock ledges.
  
• L.Fuelleborni is a larger growing species than L.Trewavasae. Fuellebornis are also shorter in body length and taller in overall height leaving them with a stubbier appearance.
  
• Their jaw structure makes extracting fry manually more of an effort. Be firm with opening the brooding female's mouth but be weary to not cause damage.
  
• Occasionally it may be harder to distinguish brooding females from non brooding ones so it is important to observe feeding patterns and behavioural changes from your fish.
  
• Eggs in this species are bigger than in most mbuna.
• Selecting breeding stock is relatively easy as juvenile fish at 5-6cm should exhibit sexual differences in all the variants of Fuelleborni.
• This species is most successful when kept in colonies of 2 males and 4 females.
  
• Do not house Fuelleborni and Trewavasae together for breeding purposes as they will inter breed.
  
• Generally an adult mouth brooding female will hold up to 60 eggs depending on size of the mother.
  
• From date of spawning, fry should be free swimming after 14 days depending on water temperature.
• Easy to House and rear. Raise temperatures and feed live foods to optimise breeding.
• On a scale of 1-10 (ten being hard) Fuelleborni scores a 5 for ease of breeding.
• Labeotropheus is capable of co-existing with other cichlids in a community aquarium.
  

photos courtesy of wikimedia.org/plecos.com/tricoti.co.uk