Edit Labidochromis sp. "perlmutt"
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Name
Scientific name
Labidochromis sp. "perlmutt"
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Pearly Labidochromis
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
Labidochromis sp. 'perlmutt' is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, known from Higga Reef and Mbamba Bay, where it lives in deep rocky zones. …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
100mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 38 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5
Hardness
10–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
One male with several females
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Tanzania, Lake Malawi
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Endemic to Lake Malawi. So far it's only been found around Higga Reef and in Mbamba Bay, incuding areas around Mbamba Bay Island.
Habitat
Inhabits rocky zones in deeper water than most other members of the genus. It's most common at depths of around 30 metres or more.
Aquarium size
A small group would need a tank measuring at least 90 ∗ 45 ∗ 38 cm - ~154 litres.
Maintenance
Keep it in a typical Malawi setup, with much of the tank filled with piles of rock arranged to form lots of caves and crevices. Ideally use sand as substrate. …
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 28 °C pH: 7.5-8.5 Hardness: 10-25°H
Diet
As it inhabits depths at which algae doesn't grow densely due to lack of light, it has evolved to feed primarily on aquatic crustaceans. Unlike most Mbuna, it …
Behaviour and compatibility
Fairly aggressive but less so than many other Mbuna. It can be housed successfully with similarly-sized Mbuna, and can even be kept with peaceful tankmates suc…
Sexual dimorphism
Males are larger and generally more intensely coloured than females. All juvenile individuals possess a series of vertical bars along the flanks. As they matur…
Reproduction
Has been bred regularly in the hobby since its introduction in the late 1990s. It's a maternal mouthbrooder that utilises a similar breeding strategy to others…
Notes
This 'species' was only discovered in 1995, and remains undescribed to science. The common name 'perlmutt' is the German word for 'mother of pearl', and refers…
References
References
No references