Alluaud's Haplochromine (Astatoreochromis alluaudi) Care Guide
Astatoreochromis alluaudi is an East African cichlid with crushing pharyngeal jaws specialised on snails, a mouthbrooder reaching about 19 cm.
Overview
Astatoreochromis alluaudi is an East African cichlid known for its thick pharyngeal jaws, which are adapted to crush snail shells. It reaches about 19 cm in standard length. The species shows documented plasticity in its lower pharyngeal jaw, developing different phenotypes according to diet, and is used in the hobby for biological snail control.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Astatoreochromis
- Scientific name: Astatoreochromis alluaudi
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species occurs in lakes including Edward, George, Kyoga and Victoria and associated waters, and has been introduced widely in East Africa across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It inhabits shallow waters and papyrus swamps, generally less than 20 m deep.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
FishBase reports that the species feeds mainly on molluscs but may be an opportunistic omnivore that switches to the most abundant food source. In the aquarium it accepts snails, frozen invertebrates and quality prepared foods, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, bottom-oriented cichlid suited to hard, alkaline water alongside other Victorian haplochromines, Astatotilapia and Synodontis. It should not be kept with soft-water fish such as discus, Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids, nor with Rift Lake mbuna of differing temperament.
Breeding
Astatoreochromis alluaudi is a mouthbrooder. FishBase notes that breeding likely occurs around November to December.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 17 February 2021).