Emperor Cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis) Care Guide
World's largest cichlid, reaching 70-90 cm in the wild. Predator from open waters of Lake Tanganyika; pair-spawner that dies after one massive spawning.
Overview
Boulengerochromis microlepis is a species in the family Cichlidae. World's largest cichlid, reaching 70-90 cm in the wild. Predator from open waters of Lake Tanganyika; pair-spawner that dies after one massive spawning. Only suitable for huge public-aquarium-scale tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Boulengerochromis
- Scientific name: Boulengerochromis microlepis
- Other names: Boulenger's Cichlid, Yellow Emperor
- Origin: Africa, Lake Tanganyika
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika and reputedly the largest cichlid in the world, reaching close to a metre in length. Inhabits open water and sandy zones where adults are powerful predators of fish. Unusual among large cichlids in being a substrate spawner that forms monogamous pairs; the parents are reported to die after a single breeding effort.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 3000 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Adult size: 60-90 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Difficulty: advanced
Diet
Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: aggressive
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Only large public-aquarium tanks
- Avoid with: Almost everything else
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: substrate-spawner
- Breeding difficulty: advanced