Edit Nimbochromis livingstonii
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Name
Scientific name
Nimbochromis livingstonii
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1894, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Summary
Nimbochromis livingstonii is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is fairly widespread. An ambush predator, it lies motionl…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
250mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 38 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.6–8.8
Hardness
10–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania
Supporting text
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Endemic to Lake Malawi. It is fairly widespread throughout the lake.
Habitat
It is found in relatively shallow water around the shoreline, though it can also be seen in deeper (it has been recorded at depths of over 100m) water. These a…
Aquarium size
120 ∗ 45 ∗ 38 cm48 ∗ 18 ∗ 15 in - ~205 litres~54 US gal.
Maintenance
Set up the aquarium with piles of rocks arranged to form caves, large areas of open water for swimming and preferably a sandy substrate. Planting with Vallisne…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 28 °C75 – 82 °F pH: 7.6-8.8 Hardness: 10-25°H
Diet
It is an exclusive piscivore in nature but there is no need to feed live fish in aquaria, as it accepts dead foods readily. Feed a meaty diet of prawns, lancef…
Behaviour and compatibility
Predatory but is generally peaceful with species too big to be considered food (it will eat smaller mbuna and young fish). Suitable tankmates include Frontosa,…
Sexual dimorphism
Males tend to grow larger and exhibit slightly gaudier colouration than females, showing some blue pigmentation on the body. This blue intensifies greatly when…
Reproduction
Not easy. Polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The breeding aquarium should be at least 48" in length and furnished as suggested above, with the addition of some …
Notes
Not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community, N. livingstonii is an ambush predator in nature, often being seen hanging motionless around rocky structur…
References
References
No references