Doctor's Cichlid (Metriaclima sp. 'Daktari')

Doctor's Cichlid Metriaclima sp. 'Daktari'
Name	Doctor's Cichlid
Name Lat.	Metriaclima sp. 'Daktari'
Synonym	Pseudotropheus sp. 'Daktari'
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Malawi
Habitat	Intermediate zone
Diet	Omnivore, aufwuchs
pH	7.5-8.8
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Mouthbrooder
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	5-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	7-9 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	10-25 °dH
Aquarium	~ 300 l
US Units
Size	2.8"-3.5"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	178-445 ppm
Aquarium	~ 80 gal

Distribution and habitat

Metriaclima sp. 'Daktari' is found exclusively (endemically) in Lake Malawi, on the border of Tanzania and Mozambique, from Undu Reef to Liutche. They belong to the group of mbuna that lives in the rocky, low-sediment transition zones.

Maintenance

The aquarium setup should have rock structures reaching to the water surface with plenty of hiding places (crevices, caves, shelters), with roots and free sand areas, as well as plenty of free swimming space

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They feed mainly on the plant cover (growth) and the microorganisms contained therein, as well as on plankton. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once daily with a high-quality dry food for Malawi cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and plankton (live or frozen). In addition, they also need vegetable food, such as algae leaves and commercially available green food (kelp, spirulina)

Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are relatively peaceful and should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. Keeping several harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. A socialization with other small cichlids from Lake Malawi, such as Labidochromis or Aulonocara is well possible.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The females are usually somewhat smaller than the males, which have a pointed dorsal fin and are somewhat more strongly colored.

Reproduction and breeding

They are maternal mouth brooders. The female usually spawns on a flat rock. After the male fertilizes the eggs, she immediately takes the female into her throat pouch for mouth brood care and keeps the fry in her throat pouch even after hatching. After 3-4 weeks, the fry are released and brood care ends. Throughout brood care, the female does not consume food.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry is easy prey.

Important

Different site varieties of Metriaclima sp. 'Daktari' should not be maintained together as they can cross (hybridize).

The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. 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: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF