Livingstone's Mbuna (Pseudotropheus livingstonii)
| Livingstone's Mbuna Pseudotropheus livingstonii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Livingstone's Mbuna |
| Name Lat. | Pseudotropheus livingstonii |
| Synonym | Metriaclima livingstonii |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Malawi |
| Habitat | Sandy intermediate zone |
| Diet | Omnivore, aufwuchs |
| pH | 7.5-8.8 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 11-14 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 400 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.3"-5.5" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 100 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Livingston's snail cichlids are found exclusively (endemically) in Lake Malawi, where they are distributed primarily in the southern portion of the lake. They live in the rock transition zone over sandy bottoms
Maintenance
The aquarium setup should have rock structures that reach to the water surface, with plenty of crevices, caves and shelters to provide hiding places, as well as robust plants and open sandy areas
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and 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
Livingston's snail cichlids should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. They are territorial therefore keeping multiple harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. These cichlids should only be socialized with other cichlids from Lake Malawi, especially from the mbuna group.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is usually more intensely colored, is larger, and has several distinct yellow egg spots on the anal fin that are weaker or absent in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They are maternal mouth brooders. Immediately after spawning on a rock, the females take the eggs into their throat sac for mouth brooding. They retain the fry in their throat sac even after hatching. After about 3 weeks, the fry are released and continue to be cared for for about 8 more days. During the entire brood care the female does not take any food.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
In its range there are different colored site variants.
Smaller Livingston's snail cichlids use large, empty snail shells as hiding places in case of danger.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has 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: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF