Electric Blue Cichlid

<p>The average adult is 5.5 inches in the wild, but in captivity, it can reach 8 inches. Males have an electric blue color, hence the common name “Electric Blue Cichlid”, and a white stripe along the spine and females are gray with dark gray stripes. To keep these fish in captivity, the water should have a pH between 7.8 and 8.6 and temperatures ranging from 73.4ºF to 82.4ºF. The aquarium should have rocks, open areas for swimming, a sandy substrate and a network of caves. These fish can be kept in a community aquarium as long as there are no small fish or fry present since they are voracious predators and it shouldn’t be kept with fish with the same coloration either. Choosing tankmates should be done carefully since these fish spawn with females from other genera. Suitable tankmates are, for example,  <em>Protomelas</em>, other Malawi Cichlids and <em>Copadichromis</em>.  They should be kept in groups of several females to just one male, and it is best to only keep one male.</p>

<p>This species is piscivorous. In the wild, they mainly feed on young Mbunas. In captivity, they can be fed with krill, shrimp or pellets, and flakes with high protein value.</p>

<p>Males have an electric blue coloration and their anal fin is either red or orange while females are gray with dark gray stripes.</p>

<p>Males start by building an area of sediment around a rock and then try to convince a female to go there, where she will drop her eggs. The current in the water will make the eggs roll towards the male, he catches the eggs with his anal fin and fertilizes them. After the eggs are fertilized, the female takes them into her mouth. The female will carry the eggs for about 3 weeks before releasing the fry and during that time she won’t eat. To induce breeding behavior in captivity, the water should have a pH between 8.2 and 8.5 and a temperature of 77ºF to 80ºF.</p>

<p>This species can be found in Lake Malawi, Africa.</p>

Venomous (Change Content)