Chisumulae Lab (Labidochromis chisumulae) Care Guide
Labidochromis chisumulae is a small mbuna cichlid endemic to Chisumulu Island in Lake Malawi, suited to rock-dwelling Malawi communities.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Labidochromis chisumulae is a small mbuna cichlid endemic to Chisumulu Island in Lake Malawi. It has a light blue body with a broad horizontal dark stripe and reaches a modest adult size, recorded by FishBase at about 6.6 cm standard length. It is among the more peaceable Labidochromis.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Labidochromis
- Scientific name: Labidochromis chisumulae
- Common synonyms: Chisumulu Lab
Habitat
The species is endemic to the rocky shores of Chisumulu Island in Lake Malawi, East Africa. As a benthopelagic rock-dweller, it lives in the hard, alkaline water characteristic of the Rift Valley lake.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L (66 gal)
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
Labidochromis are omnivorous; FishBase records a trophic level of about 2.7, consistent with a varied diet. In the aquarium they accept prepared foods supplemented with both vegetable matter and small invertebrate items.
Compatibility
As a comparatively peaceful mbuna it suits rock-structured Malawi communities with other species of similar temperament. It should not be combined with soft-water community fish such as tetras, angelfish, discus or dwarf cichlids, whose requirements differ markedly.
Breeding
Like other Lake Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying and protecting the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018). It is used in the aquarium trade and shows high biological resilience.
Labidochromis chisumulae Breeding Guide
Overview
Labidochromis chisumulae is a small mbuna endemic to the rocky shores of Chizumulu Island in Lake Malawi, where it occupies the sand-to-rock transition zone at depths of 3 to 20 metres. Males reach around 8 cm in the wild, with females slightly smaller. It is an egg-laying maternal mouthbrooder: the female incubates the eggs and developing fry in her mouth. The species is relatively peaceful and not strongly territorial, which makes colony breeding manageable in a suitably furnished tank.
Sexing
Males grow somewhat larger than females and are more strongly coloured; in aquaria males may reach roughly 10 cm while females stay near 8 cm. As with other Labidochromis, dominant males display more intense colour during courtship, while females remain plainer. Because the genus hybridises readily, only one Labidochromis species should be kept per tank to ensure pure offspring.
Conditioning
Although other mbuna are largely vegetarian, the diet of L. chisumulae is less herbivorous; in nature it feeds mainly on small crustaceans, insects and insect larvae while also pecking at aufwuchs and a small amount of algae. For conditioning, a standard mbuna vegetable diet should be supplemented with frozen foods such as Mysis, Daphnia and brine shrimp to bring females into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Keep one male with several females (a harem) to spread his attention and reduce harassment. Furnish the aquarium with a filter-sand bottom and ample rockwork providing crevices and caves between which the fish can hide and establish territories. Hard, alkaline water suits the species, with reported parameters of about 22-26 degrees C, pH 7.5-8.5 and a general hardness near 12-16 dGH.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
When ready, the male displays to a female and leads her to a chosen spot. She deposits her eggs, the male follows and fertilises them, and the female immediately picks the eggs up into her mouth to incubate them. This typical mbuna mouthbrooding sequence allows females to carry a brood while remaining mobile within the rockwork.
Egg & Fry Care
The female holds the eggs and larvae in her buccal cavity through incubation, after which she releases free-swimming fry. A holding female may be moved to a separate maturation tank to protect the brood and let her recover before release. Newly released fry are large enough to accept finely crushed prepared foods and small live or frozen items appropriate to their size.
Common Challenges
The main risk to pure broods is hybridisation, so only a single Labidochromis species should be present. Male harassment of females can be reduced by maintaining a harem and providing plenty of broken sightlines among the rocks. Holding females may be stressed if disturbed, and may prematurely release or swallow a brood under poor conditions.