Bluehead Tyrannochromis (Tyrannochromis nigriventer)
| Bluehead Tyrannochromis Tyrannochromis nigriventer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Bluehead Tyrannochromis |
| Name Lat. | Tyrannochromis nigriventer |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Malawi |
| Habitat | Rocky intermediate zone |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.8 |
| Behavior | Predatory |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20-25 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 750 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8"-10" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Blue-headed Tyrannochromis occur exclusively (endemically) in Lake Malawi and are widespread throughout the lake. They usually stay in the transition zone from the rocky littoral to the sandy littoral, but also on steeply sloping rocky reefs at depths of 10 to 15 meters. There are numerous differently colored populations.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have rock structures reaching to the water surface, with caves, crevices and shelters to provide hiding places, as well as plenty of free swimming space and some sandy areas.
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable in the water, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and the oxygen content, a filter adapted to the aquarium size and a heater are required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They are ambush hunters that feed mainly on fish (mbunas). The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for cichlids (granules, pellets) as well as krill, mysis, mussel meat, smelt, shrimp, etc. (live or frozen).
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a harem, one male with two females. Only during the breeding season they behave territorially and aggressively. Keeping multiple harems is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They are assertive hunters, but can be socialized well with other large cichlids (Utakas). Juveniles and too small fish are considered food
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes differ clearly in coloration (sexual dichromatism). The larger male is much more colorful and has egg spots on the anal fin. The female is smaller and inconspicuous gray-brown colored.
Reproduction and breeding
They are maternal mouth breeders. The female spawns in a sand pit. After fertilization by the male, the female immediately receives the eggs in her throat pouch for mouthbrooding and retains the fry in her throat pouch after hatching. After approximately 3 weeks, the fry are released. During the entire mouthbrood care, the female does not take any food. The fry continue to be cared for by the female for some time and are housed in the throat pouch overnight or in case of danger before brood care ends.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in a community tank, as the fry are easy prey.
Important
Bluehead Tyrannochromis hunt mbuna juveniles in the wild
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF