INFO - "LABIDOCHROMIS sp. MBAMBA"

NAME: Labidochromis sp. Mbamba

GENUS: Labidochromis

SPECIES: Mbamba

ENDEMIC TO: Lake Malawi - AFRICA

MAX SIZE: 12cm

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

CLASS: Mouth brooding Mbuna

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: Labidochromis Mbamba is an outstandingly beautiful fish possessing a distinctly unique colour pattern. Males are more colourful in comparison to their female counterparts. The male possesses darker patterns and more elongated finnage almost bearing similarities to Ps. Elongatus. Dominant males carry a bright blue base with jet black barring through their face and vertically down their body. The presence of several egg spots can be noticed in the male's anal fins. Again diagnosis is most accurate via the vents of the fish at a mature age. The female's black colouration in their finnage is not as pronounced as males and their bar pattern is generally over a brown base. It has also been observed that dominant females can adopt striking colours resembling that of a male to deter unwanted attention from tank mates.

TEMPERAMENT: Males can be very territorial in defending it's caves, females and occasionally the entire aquarium. Their aggression often is with intentions of driving the intruder away and not in constant harassment causing death. L. Mbamba is one of the smaller sized fish of this particular family but still carrys all the same characteristics of its relatives.

DIET REQUIREMENTS: Labidochromis Mbamba's 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. 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.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

• Typical mbuna. Most suited to habitat with plenty of caves and crevices.
• Purchasing specimens at a 5cm size should allow the hobbyist to select definite males and females remembering to choose largest coloured fish as the male and smaller drab uncoloured fish as potential females.
  
• Labidochromis Mbamba will breed comfortably in colonies of 2 males 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.
• Easy to House and rear. Raise temperatures and feed live foods to optimise breeding.
• The Mbamba is moderately easy to breed provided it is contained in a healthy environment.

photo courtesy of tims-malawizucht.de