Edit Boulengerochromis microlepis
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Name
Scientific name
Boulengerochromis microlepis
Described by
Authority Boulenger, Year 1899, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Emperor Cichlid
Photograph credits
All 8 credited
Summary
The emperor cichlid, Boulengerochromis microlepis, is the only member of its genus and the largest African cichlid, endemic to Lake Tangany…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
550mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.5–9
Hardness
10–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
A pair
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Lake Tanganyika
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika and has been recorded throughout the lake.
Habitat
Mostly inhabits littoral to sublittoral zones, habitats which comprise a mixture of rocky rubble and exposed sandy areas, but has been recorded to depths of ar…
Aquarium size
Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria. An adult pair would command a territory measuring at least 5 m² in nature.
Maintenance
A simple set-up with a sandy substrate plus a few large rocks arranged to break up the space should suffice. Place the latter directly on the base of the tank …
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Juvenile specimens are omnivorous but become increasingly piscivorous as they grow. Most captive specimens will accept dried foods but are better offered live …
Behaviour and compatibility
Not particularly aggressive with anything too large to fit in its mouth but due to its adult size the choices are fairly limited. In suitably-sized surrounding…
Sexual dimorphism
Males are larger and more colourful than females.
Reproduction
Substrate-spawner. It has been bred in aquaria, albeit infrequently, and is produced for the aquarium trade on commercial farms in Florida and the Far East in …
Notes
This species is the only member of its genus, the largest African cichlid species and a prized food fish around Lake Tanganyika. As an adult it's almost entire…
References
References
2 on this profile