Guenther's Mouthbrooder (Chromidotilapia guentheri) Care Guide
Chromidotilapia guentheri is a West African biparental mouthbrooder reaching about 18 cm, in which both parents carry the fry, suited to soft-water tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Chromidotilapia guentheri, Guenther's mouthbrooder, is a West African cichlid in which both parents participate in mouthbrooding. Males reach about 20 cm and females about 13 cm. Both sexes are generally tan; the female has a pink belly and a metallic white stripe on the dorsal fin, while males have more extended pectoral rays. The synonym Pelmatochromis guentheri appears in older literature.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Chromidotilapia
- Scientific name: Chromidotilapia guentheri
- Common synonym: Pelmatochromis guentheri
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species ranges across West African coastal basins from the St John River in Liberia to lower Cameroon and the Benito River in Equatorial Guinea, in lowland waters of coastal floodplains, savannahs and forests. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
Wikipedia describes the species as a bottom-feeding omnivore that consumes small invertebrates, algae and organic detritus, sifting mouthfuls of substrate for edible items. 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, hard-water cichlids and small fish that may be harassed when it is breeding.
Breeding
Chromidotilapia guentheri is a biparental mouthbrooder. Eggs are laid on an open surface and then taken into the mouth; both parents participate in brooding and continue to care for the young after hatching.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 21 April 2019).
Breeding Chromidotilapia guentheri (Guenther's Mouthbrooder)
Overview
Chromidotilapia guentheri is a West African cichlid ranging across coastal basins from the St. John River in Liberia to lower Cameroon (FishBase, Wikipedia). It is an ovophilic, pair-bonding mouthbrooder with biparental care; eggs are laid on a flat open surface and taken into the parents' mouth, and both parents care for the young after hatching (FishBase, Wikipedia).
Sexing
The species shows clear sexual differences: males grow larger, to about 20 cm, while females reach about 13 cm, and the first ray of the pectoral fin is more extended in males (Wikipedia). Females display brighter colouration, including a pink belly and a metallic white dorsal stripe.
Conditioning
FishBase records 23-25 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-19 dH for the species, in lowland coastal floodplains, savannahs and forest waters with submerged roots and branches. Condition pairs on a varied omnivorous diet.
Breeding Setup
Provide a flat open surface for egg deposition and structure such as roots and branches that reflect the natural habitat (Wikipedia). A bonded pair holds a territory; soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water within the documented range supports spawning.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are laid on a flat open surface and then taken into the mouth (Wikipedia). Sources describe biparental mouthbrooding with both parents participating in brood care; FishBase notes the male carries out mouthbrooding while both parents care for the young after hatching. The pair coordinates closely throughout.
Egg & Fry Care
After incubation in the mouth, both parents care for the fry, guarding and herding the school once it is free-swimming (Wikipedia). Released fry accept fine first foods. The pair continues to shelter the young for a period after release.
Common Challenges
Forming a compatible bonded pair is the key step; semi-aggressive territorial behaviour during breeding means small or timid tankmates may be harassed. Maintaining the documented soft-water parameters helps spawning succeed.