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

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…

Not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community, N. livingstonii is an ambush predator in nature, often being seen hanging motionless around rocky structures, in Vallisneria thickets or on the floor of the lake. It is a sedentary species and does not move around a lot. This is a behavioural adaptation known as thanatosis, or 'playing dead'. This strategy is usually used as for defensive means in other animals but in N. livingstonii is adapted for offensive means. The fish has a mottled colour pattern and this, combined with the aforementioned ability to lie motionless on the substrate, makes the fish appear dead to unsuspecting prey. When a smaller fish attempts to investigate the 'corpse' it recieves a nasty surprise! Native people have named this fish "Kaligono", which loosely translates as "sleeper" in tribute to this behaviour. N. livingstonii is the only member of the genus to be found in both shallow and deeper water.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Year

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Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References