Substrates can range from the whitish coral sand used in saltwater aquariums to black freshwater sand or even regular decorative gravels. Rock "piles" and shelf-like backgrounds are common designs and can be made from tufa rock, lava rock or slate. Several other groups of cichlids can also be found from these lakes, some of which can be large and aggressive predators research all choices carefully.ĭecor for a Malawi/Victoria aquarium should be very rocky. Mbuna cichlids tend to be more aggressive and may bully the usually more passive Peacocks but some Mbuna cichlids are far more aggressive than others. While aggression and compatibility can vary from species to species, mixing Mbuna and Peacock cichlids is not usually recommended. Two of the most popular groups of these cichlids are the "Peacocks" (mostly the Aulonocara genus) and "Mbuna's" (native term for "rock fish" and including the genera Pseudotropheus, Labidochromis, Maylandia, Melanochromis and others). As with all cichlids, they are very territorial and will not tolerate other cichlids around "their" crevice. They seldom stray far from the rocky bottoms and sides of the lake and will quickly dart into the rocks to hide. Most cichlids in both lakes are rock-dwellers. Several hundreds species of cichlid are found in Lake Malawi, along with many regional variations, but Lake Victoria has far fewer due to the introduction of invasive predators. Malawian and Victorian cichlids are similar in care and temperament, leading to fish from these two lakes being grouped together in the hobby. Males usually have intense rust-coloration around their head and violet-blue on the flanks. The Rusty Cichlid has a rounder head and the basic shape of a Pseudotropheus cichlid. Rusty cichlids are omnivorous and will eat various kinds of food, but meaty food can often cause them serious digestive problems.These beautiful mbuna, or rock-dwelling cichlids were one of the first species exported from Lake Malawi. Hiding places and space should be provided or this fish will be bullied by their more aggressive tank mates. This quality makes rusty cichlids an ideal starter fish for aquarists with less experience keeping the mbuna. Aquarium care Īlthough not entirely a peaceful fish, the rusty cichlid is considered one of the least aggressive among the mbuna cichlids. This species is named in honour of Kappy Sprenger, an aquarist, author and artist from Los Gatos, California, whose efforts to have this fish correctly identified led to the realisation that this was an undescribed species.
The IUCN list tis species as Near Threatened. The restricted distribution and the effects of the aquarium trade and increased sedimentation on this fish are unknown.
Rusty cichlids are endemic to Lake Malawi where it is apparently restricted to islands and reefs in the southeastern arm of the lake. Females hold their fertilized eggs and fry, in their mouth for a few weeks before releasing the fry. Juveniles and females are rusty brown color, while mature males have lavender purple hue. Rusty cichlids are elongate fish that can grow up to 10.8 centimetres (4.3 in) SL. It prefers a temperature range of 24-26 ☌. Iodotropheus sprengerae, the rusty cichlid, lavender mbuna or lavender cichlid, is a species of cichlid endemic to the Boadzulu and Chinyankwazi Islands and Chinyamwezi Island regions of Lake Malawi. Iodochromis sprengerae (Oliver & Loiselle, 1972)
0 kommentar(er)
