Dogtooth Cichlid care guide
Dogtooth Cichlid (Cynotilapia afra) — minimum tank 250 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cynotilapia afra is a small Malawi mbuna with conical, pointed teeth that distinguishes it from related Pseudotropheus. Numerous geographic colour morphs exist, but most adult males display a blue body with strong vertical black bars. Adults reach about 11 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cynotilapia
- Scientific name: Cynotilapia afra
- Common synonyms: Afra
Habitat
Endemic to the rocky shore (mbuna zone) of Lake Malawi in the African Rift Valley, where it lives over wave-washed boulder slopes. The lake is exceptionally hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — and warm year round. The species is highly site-attached and territorial males defend small rock caves.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L (66 US gal)
- Adult size: 9-11 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
In the wild it grazes the aufwuchs layer of algae, biofilm and associated micro-invertebrates that coats the rocks. In aquaria a vegetable-rich diet of spirulina and algae-based cichlid pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen brine shrimp is appropriate; high-protein foods such as bloodworm should be avoided to prevent "Malawi bloat".
Compatibility
Aggressive and territorial; best kept in a large mbuna community with several other rock-dwelling species so that aggression is dispersed. A typical stocking is one male to several females (1:3-4). Avoid mixing with very different lake faunas (e.g., New World cichlids) and with similar-coloured congeners that may hybridise.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a small rock territory, displays to passing females and entices each to spawn on a flat surface; the female collects the eggs into her mouth immediately and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. The Lake Malawi cichlid radiation has been intensively assessed; most mbuna are evaluated and many are categorised Least Concern, though species with restricted ranges along single sub-shores are more vulnerable.
Dogtooth Cichlid (Cynotilapia afra) Breeding Guide
Overview
Cynotilapia afra is a slender mbuna of Lake Malawi that feeds on plankton and aufwuchs in open water just above the rocks, reaching about 10 cm. It exists in many regional colour morphs and is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Sexing
Males are far more colourful than females, displaying the vivid blue and dark bars typical of the species, while females are drabber. The male carries egg-shaped spots on the anal fin that play a role in fertilisation.
Conditioning
Condition the group well and hold the water alkaline and stable, with a temperature of about 25-27 degrees Celsius (77-81 degrees Fahrenheit) and a pH of 8.0-8.5. A diet that reflects the species' planktivorous and aufwuchs-grazing habits brings the females into condition, and strong condition in the females underlies successful spawning.
Breeding Setup
Use a breeding tank of around 120 cm (48 inches) furnished with rocky caves and a sandy substrate. A breeding group of one male and three to six females is recommended, and stocking the tank fairly heavily helps dissipate the male's courtship aggression by preventing him from singling out one fish.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male can be quite aggressive during courtship. The female is attracted to the egg spots on his anal fin and, in attempting to collect them after depositing her eggs, the clutch is fertilised inside her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female may carry a brood of 15 to 30 eggs for up to three weeks, about 21 days, before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry can take brine shrimp nauplii from birth.
Common Challenges
The many natural colour morphs of this species, such as the Cobue and Jalo Reef forms, must not be mixed in aquaria, as they will spawn with one another and produce unwanted hybrid fry; keep a single morph to maintain pure stock. A stressed holding female may abort her brood, so she should be left undisturbed, and because the female stops feeding for the full holding period she should be in firm condition before spawning to withstand the weight loss.