Smallscale Cichlid (Cyprichromis microlepidotus)
| Smallscale Cichlid Cyprichromis microlepidotus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Smallscale Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Cyprichromis microlepidotus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Tanganyika |
| Habitat | Intermediate zone |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 7.5-9.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 6-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 11 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 15-18 °dH |
| Aquarium | 120 cm / 240 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.3" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 267-320 ppm |
| Aquarium | 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The small scaled carping cichlids occur exclusively (endemically) in the northern part of Lake Tanganyika. They are site-faithful schooling fish that live in the open water near steep rock faces above free sandy areas.
Maintenance
The aquarium setup should have rock structures on the back wall that reach the water surface, with plenty of hiding places (caves, crevices, shelters) and some hardy plants, as well as plenty of 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
In nature they feed on insect larvae and plankton. The food supply consists mainly of small live or frozen food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and black mosquito larvae or a commercially available frozen special food mixture for plankton eaters, supplemented with high-quality dry food for cichlids (granules, pellets), which is usually well accepted after acclimatization. Preserved plankton is also very readily accepted
Only as much should be fed as is eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
It is recommended to keep these peaceful and swimming fish in a group of at least 7-10 animals, where the number of females should predominate. During the breeding season the males behave territorial and defend their territory. Socialization with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids, such as cave breeders or sand cichlids, is well possible
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are more colorful than the females, which are predominantly brown-gray in color. The very variably colored males of a swarm can have yellow or blue-black caudal fins (dichromatism).
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners and maternal mouth brooders. The female spawns in open water and takes the sinking eggs, 5-10 of them, for mouth brood care in the throat sac, where they are fertilized. After about 3-4 weeks, the fry leave the female's mouth and brood care ends. In nature, juvenile fish form large schools at the water surface
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, geopods). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
Several differently colored site variants are known in its range.
Different site variants of the small scaled carping cichlids should not be kept together, as they may interbreed
The aquarium should have good cover as they can be very skittish and jump out of the aquarium.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level 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