Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus)
| Venustus Cichlid Nimbochromis venustus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Venustus Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Nimbochromis venustus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Malawi |
| Habitat | Sandy zone |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.8 |
| Behavior | Predatory |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 6-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20-25 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | 450 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7.9"-9.8" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | 120 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Peacock mouthbrooders are found exclusively (endemically) in Lake Malawi and are distributed lake-wide. They live in the shore zone with sandy bottoms in 15-20 m depth, juveniles prefer shallower water with plant fields.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have border planting (e.g. Vallisneria) with large, free sand areas and some boulders (hiding places, visual barriers) as well as plenty of free swimming space. A light colored, deep substrate of sand or fine gravel is ideal.
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 are ambush hunters that feed on fish and invertebrates. According to their size, the food offer consists of insect larvae, worms, shrimps and fish, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with commercially available frozen special food mixtures for cichlids. High-quality dry food for cichlids (granules, pellets) is also well accepted
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance. Only as much should be fed as is eaten in a few minutes.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. Males are territorial and aggressive among themselves, but also against females that are not ready to mate. Keeping a harem is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They are assertive hunters, but can be socialized well with other large cichlids. Fish that are too small are considered food
Basically only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes differ clearly in coloration (sexual dichromatism). The slightly larger males are blue-yellow in coloration and have a yellow forehead. The females largely retain their brownish-sand-yellow juvenile coloration.
Reproduction and breeding
They are maternal mouth brooders. The female spawns up to 120 eggs on sand or a flat rock. After fertilization by the male, the female immediately takes them into her throat pouch for mouthbrooding and keeps the fry in her throat pouch even after hatching. After approximately 3 weeks, the fry are released. The female does not eat during the entire mouthbrood care period. The young fish are still cared for by the female for about 10 days and are taken up in the throat pouch 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
The peacock mouth breeders lurk well camouflaged between giant vallisnerias or motionless on the bottom, juveniles often buried in the sand, for prey
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. 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: Anton Lamboj
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF