Pelvicachromis taeniatus is a species of cichlid from Cameroon and Nigeria that is occasionally kept as an aquarium fish. It is native to the soft-water rivers.
Details
| Type | Ciclids |
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Species | Pelvicachromis taeniatus |
| Synonyms | Pelmatochromis taeniatus, Pelvicachromis kribensis, Pelmatochromis kribensis, Pelmatochromis calliptera, Pelmatochromis klugei, Pelmatochromis kribensis klugei, Pelmatochromis pulcher klugei, Pelmatochromis taeniatus klugei |
| Origins | Forest streams of Benin, Cameroon and Nigeria. |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Males larger, more colourful and possess elongated dorsal and anal fins. |
| Length | 8.0 cm |
| Shoaling | No |
| Temperature | 22 - 25 deg C |
| Water parameters | pH 6.0 - 7.5, dH 1 - 12 |
Care
Pelvicachromis taeniatus is a beautiful West African dwarf cichlid, which has many geographical colour variants. The specimen shown in the above photograph is a ‘Nigerian Red’. The females of this species can be easily mistaken for female Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher); however, the males are usually much more colourful in comparison to their ‘Kribensis cousins’. A pair of these exquisite little cichlids are suitable for community aquariums measuring 36” or longer. Larger groups should be given much more territory. The substrate should consist of natural coloured sand or fine gravel, and dark shady areas should be provided with plenty of plants, bogwood, and caves. Java moss covered coconut shells or clean new flowerpots are particular favourite hideaways, and a pair is likely to choose such a location as a spawning site. Excellent water quality should be maintained at all times, and boisterous tankmates are not advised. If kept in cramped quarters, breeding pairs will become quite aggressive towards their tankmates, so adequate space must be provided. Aside from the ‘Nigerian Red’ mentioned above, other variants sometimes seen in the shops include: ‘Calabar’, ‘Dehane’, ‘Kienke’, ‘Lobe’, ‘Lokoundje’, ‘Makoure’, ‘Moliwe’, ‘Nange’, ‘Nigerian Green’, ‘Nigerian Yellow’, ‘Nyete’ and ‘Wouri’.Feeding
Flake, green flake, micropellets, and small frozen foods such as daphnia, mosquito larvae, brineshrimp etc.Breeding
Often, the first signs that spawning is occurring is when the pair disappear for some time into one of their favourite caves. Once the eggs have been deposited and fertilised, they will take approximately 5 days to hatch and a further 3 or 4 days to become free-swimming. A typical brood size would be around 40-50 young. The parents are very defensive of the fry and will be seen herding them around the aquarium.
