Aquarium Fish Experts fish tanks

Placidochromis electra (Deep Water Hap)
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Dimidiochromis compressiceps (Albino Malawi Eye-biter)
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Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: The Aulonocara auditor, or Kapesa, is a sand-dwelling cichlid that can be found in Lake Malawi.  At present it is known to be present only in the northern part between Ngara and Vua.

PH: 7.8 – 8.6

Temperature: 25°C – 28°C (78°F – 82°F)

Hardness: 15 – 30 dH

Description: The Aulonocara auditor has three series of spots on its flank and at the base of the dorsal fin.  It has a maximum length of 8 cm and is mostly peaceful in temperament.

Diet: Aulonocara auditor cichlids are carnivores and should be fed live meat where possible.  You can feed it shrimp, flake, food pellets and bloodworms.  In the wild this species feasts upon sand-dwelling invertebrates.

Breeding: The female Aulonocara auditor is a maternal mouthbrooder.  Severe stress can force the females to spit their eggs out prematurely, so try not to move the fish around during this period.  Ensure there are plenty of hiding spaces for the female during spawning.

Comments: This species will appreciate hiding spaces and sandy areas; it will hover around the middle-lower sections of your aquarium.  You should house it in a medium size tank.  This species is not hard to look after and will suit newcomers to the hobby.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species: Similarly sized fish of a peaceful temperament can be housed with Aulonocara cichlids.  However, some Aulonocara cichlids have been known to breed with each other, so avoid housing with other Aulonocara sp. unless you want to encourage interbreeding.

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Lethrinops albus
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Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Cyphotilapia frontosa, commonly known as the Humphead Cichlid, is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa, where it is distributed in the northern part of the lake at depths of up to 50 metres.   

PH: 8.0 – 9.0

Temperature: 24°C – 26°C (75 – 79F)

Hardness: 8 – 12 dH

Description: Cyphotilapia frontosa can reach up to 33 cm in an aquarium, and can live up to 25 years.  This species has 6 – 7 black, vertical bars that run down a white or blue body.  This species is very difficult to sex, although males generally hav ea larger nuchal hump.  As they grow older, this species’ fins get longer and more elaborate. 

Diet: This species will accept all kinds of food.  You can feed the Humphead Cichlid any small fish species, such as krill, shrimp, mysis – even worms.  Do not feed this species flakes; flake is unlikely to do them much good and they will often ignore it as a food source.

Breeding: Cyphotilapia frontosa do not reach sexual maturity for 3 – 4 years, so you will have to be patient if breeding this impressive species.  The sexually active male will turn a shade of blue, particularly in the snout region, and will find an open area to release his milt.  The female, once she has gathered what is going on, will pass over the area and drop an egg.  The male’s milt can fertilise eggs several minutes after it has been released in the tank.  This species’ brood can reach up to 50, sometimes even 80, fry.  The female will hold for up to five weeks, and you should raise the fry separate from the adults.

Comments: You do not need to overly decorate your tank with this species; a few rocks will do the job.  You can use clay pots to create caves and hiding spaces – particularly if you are housing a single Humphead Cichlid.  It is worth adding a sandy substrate to simulate its natural environment.  Given this species’ size, 10 adults should be housed in a tank no less than 125 gallons.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species: Cyphotilapia frontosa is quite a peaceful, tolerant species, but it should not be housed with small, defenceless fish.  Ideal tank mates may include other large Lake Malawi cichlids and some Synodontis species.

Nimbochromis venustus (Giraffe Cichlid)
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Rhamphochromis sp. “Lake Chilengali”
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Aulonocara hansbaenschi (Red Shoulder Peacock Cichlid)
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Neolamprologus tetracanthus (Fourspine Lamprologus)
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