Astatotilapia nubila Care Guide
Astatotilapia nubila is a hardy Lake Victoria mouthbrooding cichlid in which spawning males turn dark with red fins, reaching about 9 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Astatotilapia nubila is a haplochromine cichlid described by Boulenger in 1906 (originally as Tilapia nubila) and found in the Lake Victoria system of East Africa. Spawning males develop dark, nearly black coloration with red anal and dorsal fins, while females are muted brown and green. It is a hardy mouthbrooder.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Astatotilapia
- Scientific name: Astatotilapia nubila
- Author: Boulenger, 1906
- Synonyms: Haplochromis nubilus, Tilapia nubila
Habitat
Wikipedia reports the species from the Lake Victoria system in East Africa, inhabiting shallow areas near shores. The Victoria basin is warm and alkaline, which shapes its aquarium requirements.
Tank requirements
- Maximum size: about 9.3 cm (3.7 in) SL (Wikipedia)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (KB record, warm Victoria water)
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (KB record, alkaline Victoria water)
- Rocky or open aquascape with hiding places
- Keep one male with several females
Diet
Wikipedia describes the species as omnivorous, feeding on algae, small crustaceans and insect larvae. A varied diet including vegetable matter suits it in aquaria.
Compatibility
Wikipedia notes that dominant males become highly aggressive and territorial when spawning, so it is kept one male with several females. It mixes with other robust Victorian-region cichlids and Synodontis, away from small dwarf cichlids.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female incubating eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (assessed 2010).
Astatotilapia nubila Breeding Guide
Overview
Astatotilapia nubila (Haplochromis nubilus) is a haplochromine of the Lake Victoria system, recorded across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and inhabiting shallow inshore areas near vegetation. It reaches about 9.3 cm SL. FishBase classifies it as a maternal mouthbrooder. Note that detailed aquarium spawning accounts for this species are limited, so this guide combines confirmed species facts with the well-documented breeding pattern shared by Lake Victoria haplochromines.
Sexing
Sexual dichromatism is marked, especially at spawning. Males turn black during spawning with red anal and dorsal fins, while females show dull brown and green shades. As in related haps, mature males also carry egg-spot markings used during fertilisation.
Conditioning
The species is omnivorous, taking larval insects and small crustaceans in the wild, so condition adults on a varied diet. Stable hard, alkaline Victorian water helps bring females into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Following the standard approach for Victorian haps, breed in a species tank as a harem of one male with several females, providing rockwork and sandy areas as spawning sites so a male can hold a territory. Dominant males become very aggressive and territorial when spawning, so multiple females spread out his attention.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
A spawning male defends a territory and displays intense black-and-red colour to attract a ripe female. As in other Lake Victoria haplochromines, the female lays eggs and takes them into her mouth, with the male's anal-fin egg spots prompting collecting behaviour during which the clutch is fertilised orally.
Egg & Fry Care
As a maternal mouthbrooder, the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth; Lake Victoria haplochromines typically hold for roughly two to three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Released fry take small first foods such as brine shrimp nauplii. Isolating a holding female protects the brood.
Common Challenges
Spawning males are very aggressive, so provide space and keep a single male per group. Because precise brood numbers and timing for this species are not well documented in the literature, observe holding females directly and treat published Victorian-hap figures as a general guide.