Edit Petrochromis famula

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Name

Scientific name

Petrochromis famula

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

Petrochromis famula is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found in both the north and the south of the lake in shallow water over rocky …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

150mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–27°C, pH 7.5–9

Hardness

8–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

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.

Habitat

It is found in both the north and the south of the lake, usually in shallow water over rocky bottoms.

Aquarium size

120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~108 litres.

Maintenance

Use piles of rocks to form lots of caves and hiding places with areas of open space for swimming between. A sandy substrate is ideal. Powerful biological filtr…

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C pH: 7.5-9.0 Hardness: 8-25°H

Diet

Due to it's very specific natural diet (see below), it should be offered foods that are high in fibre and low in protein. A large proportion of the diet should…

Behaviour and compatibility

P. famula, like others in the genus, has a nasty reputation but aggression is directed primarily towards conspecifics. This can be dissipated somewhat by keepi…

Sexual dimorphism

Male fish are more colourful than females and develop pointed dorsal, anal and pelvic fins.

Reproduction

Possible but not easy. Maternal mouthbrooder. Due to the violent nature of the fish with others of its species it is actually more easily bred in a community s…

Possible but not easy. Maternal mouthbrooder. Due to the violent nature of the fish with others of its species it is actually more easily bred in a community set up or heavily stocked species tank as suggested above.

The male(s) will establish a territory and will defend this against other male fish and other species. Once in condition, he will display constantly at the females and attempt to entice them into his territory to spawn. When a female is willing, she will follow the male to the spawning site and lay her eggs several at a time, taking them into her mouth immediately. The male has spots resembling eggs on his anal fin and the female is also attracted to these. When she tries to add them to the brood in her mouth she actually recieves sperm from the male, thus fertilising the eggs. Following spawning the female leaves the territory of the male and he plays no part in broodcare.

The eggs may number up to 60 and the female holds them in her mouth for around 4 weeks. She will not accept food during this period. A brooding female can be easily recognised by her distended buccal cavity and you may wish to remove her to a separate tank to increase the chances of fry survival. Some breeders prefer to leave the female in the main aquarium and the strip the fry from her mouth at around the 3 week stage but this approach is for experts only.

The fry themselves are very large (around 1 cm0.4 in!) when released and will accept much the same food as the adult fish straight away, although any dried foods should first be crushed. They grow very quickly if fed several times a day.

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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 pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

The mouthparts of this species are highly specialised, reflecting its natural feeding habits of rasping algae and other organisms from rock surfaces. It feeds …

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References