Trewavas' Cichlid care guide
Trewavas' Cichlid (Labeotropheus trewavasae) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Labeotropheus trewavasae is a more slender congener of L. fuelleborni, with the same overhanging upper lip but a thinner body. Reaches about 13 cm. Numerous geographic colour morphs are recognised across Lake Malawi, with females and juveniles often differing markedly from males.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Labeotropheus
- Scientific name: Labeotropheus trewavasae
- Common synonyms: Scrapermouth Mbuna
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: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-13 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-10 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.
Labeotropheus trewavasae Breeding Guide
Overview
Labeotropheus trewavasae, Trewavas' Cichlid, is a slimmer relative of L. fuelleborni sharing the same overhanging snout and chisel-shaped teeth for scraping algae off rocks in shallow turbulent water. It is a maternal mouthbrooder found across Lake Malawi with over 40 recorded colour forms.
Sexing
Males display clearly defined egg spots on the anal fin and intense breeding colour; in females these egg spots are much fainter or absent altogether. Female morphs include orange and orange-blotch (OB) patterns, while blotched forms are also called marmalade cats.
Conditioning
Condition breeding stock on plenty of vegetable matter together with live and frozen foods. The vegetable-rich diet suits this algae-grazing species and brings fish into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Spawn in a species tank with a harem of one male and at least three females. Several females per male are important because this species is very aggressive towards its own kind, so spreading the male's attention reduces harassment of individual females.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male cleans and displays at a chosen site to attract females. A female lays eggs and collects them into her mouth; as she attempts to pick up the egg-spots on the male's anal fin, he releases sperm and the eggs are fertilised orally.
Egg & Fry Care
Females carry 10-40 eggs for up to three or four weeks; the brood is incubated for roughly 21 days, during which the female may eat little or nothing before releasing free-swimming fry. Different colour forms should not be mixed in aquaria because they may hybridise, so raise a single known form together.