Linke's Cichlid (Chromidotilapia linkei) Care Guide
Chromidotilapia linkei is a Cameroonian biparental mouthbrooder of soft water, endangered in the wild and restricted to the Mungo and Wouri systems.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Chromidotilapia linkei, Linke's cichlid, is a small Cameroonian biparental mouthbrooder. FishBase records a maximum of about 7.7 cm SL, with a recorded maximum total length of 9.3 cm. It is uncommon in the hobby and forms long-term pairs.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Chromidotilapia
- Scientific name: Chromidotilapia linkei
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species is known only from the Mungo and Wouri river systems in Cameroon. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish of soft, slightly acidic to neutral waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.0
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
FishBase reports that the species feeds mainly on detritus and aufwuchs, with a trophic level of about 3.3. In the aquarium it accepts a varied omnivorous 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
Chromidotilapia linkei is a pair-bonding, ovophilic, biparental mouthbrooder. FishBase reports that females brood up to about 150 eggs in the mouth, with both parents tending the young.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (assessed 16 February 2009).
Breeding Chromidotilapia linkei (Linke's Cichlid)
Overview
Chromidotilapia linkei is a cichlid restricted to the Mungo and Wouri river systems in Cameroon (FishBase). FishBase records a maximum length of about 7.7 cm SL, with one reference noting up to 9.3 cm TL. It is a pair-bonding, ovophilic mouthbrooder; the female is the mouthbrooding parent, incubating up to about 150 eggs (FishBase). Both sexes participate in parental care while the female assumes the primary brooding role.
Conditioning
FishBase records 24-27 °C, pH 7.0-7.5 and a minimum hardness around 3 dH for the species. Soft, near-neutral water reflects its native rivers. Condition the pair on a varied omnivorous diet to bring them into breeding readiness.
Breeding Setup
Provide a flat open surface for egg deposition and a layout that allows a bonded pair to hold a territory. Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water within the documented range supports spawning in this soft-water specialty species.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As an ovophilic, pair-bonding mouthbrooder, the pair selects and cleans a spawning surface; eggs are laid and then taken into the mouth. The female broods up to about 150 eggs while both parents share in parental duties (FishBase). The clutch is relatively small for a cichlid, in keeping with the intensive parental investment of mouthbrooders.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth before releasing free-swimming fry, with both parents providing care. Released fry take fine first foods. The pair continues to guard the young after release.
Common Challenges
This species is rare in the hobby and a soft-water specialist, so maintaining the documented soft, near-neutral parameters is important. Establishing a stable bonded pair is the main hurdle to consistent spawning.