Finley's Benitochromis (Benitochromis finleyi) Care Guide
Benitochromis finleyi is a small Cameroonian biparental mouthbrooder of soft acidic water, endangered in the wild and restricted to the Mungo and Meme rivers.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Benitochromis finleyi is a small West-Central African cichlid described by Trewavas in 1974 and serving as the type species of the genus Benitochromis. FishBase records a maximum of about 7.6 cm SL. It is a soft-water, biparental brooder in which both parents care for the offspring.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Benitochromis
- Scientific name: Benitochromis finleyi
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species occurs in the Mungo and Meme rivers and surrounding region of western Cameroon. The genus Benitochromis is endemic to riverine and lake habitats of Middle Africa. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish of soft, acidic waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.0 (FishBase records 4.8-7.0)
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 3.3, indicating an omnivorous diet. In the aquarium it accepts a varied diet of prepared, frozen and live foods, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, mid-water cichlid best kept as a bonded pair with West African tetras, Congo tetras, Synodontis nigriventris and other peaceful West African cichlids. It should be kept away from Rift Lake mbuna and hard-water cichlids.
Breeding
Benitochromis finleyi is a pair-bonding, ovophilic mouthbrooder with delayed uptake: eggs are spawned on an open substrate, and both parents brood the offspring.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (assessed 16 February 2009).
Breeding Benitochromis finleyi (Finley's Benitochromis)
Overview
Benitochromis finleyi is a cichlid from the Mungo and Meme Rivers and surrounding region in western Cameroon (FishBase). It is an ovophilic mouthbrooder that spawns on open substrates; both parents brood offspring, with the female acting as the mouthbrooding parent (FishBase). It is a soft, acidic-water specialty species.
Conditioning
FishBase records 23-25 °C, pH 4.8-7.0 and a very soft hardness of 1-7 dH for the species, reflecting its very soft, acidic native waters. Condition the pair on a varied omnivorous diet within these soft-water conditions.
Breeding Setup
Because the species spawns on open substrate (FishBase), provide a flat open surface rather than a cave for egg deposition. Very soft, acidic water within the documented range is important for this soft-water specialist; a stable layout lets a bonded pair hold a territory.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair cleans an open spawning surface and the female lays the eggs, which are then taken up for mouthbrooding. This is an ovophilic mouthbrooder with delayed uptake, meaning the eggs are not picked up immediately after laying; both parents brood offspring and the female is the mouthbrooding parent (FishBase). Soft, acidic conditions within the documented range support spawning in this tropical species.
Egg & Fry Care
Following the biparental mouthbrooding pattern, the eggs and larvae are incubated in the mouth and both parents tend the fry. Released free-swimming fry accept fine first foods. The pair continues to guard the young after release.
Common Challenges
Maintaining very soft, acidic water (down to pH 4.8 and 1-7 dH per FishBase) is the central challenge; this species is not suited to hard, alkaline conditions. Forming a compatible pair is the other prerequisite for reliable spawning.