Livingston's Cichlid Breeding Guide

Breeding Nimbochromis livingstonii: sexing by size and egg spots, polygynous spawning, maternal mouthbrooding of up to 100 eggs, and fry care.

Overview

Nimbochromis livingstonii is a large predatory hap from Lake Malawi, the upper Shire River and Lake Malombe, inhabiting inshore areas over sandy substrates. It is a maternal mouthbrooder and a piscivore famous for an ambush strategy in which it lies on the substrate as if dead, mimicking a dead fish, then lunges at small fish that approach.

Sexing

Males grow larger, reaching about 25 cm TL versus about 20 cm TL for females, and develop more dramatic coloration and distinctive markings. Females usually lack the yellow egg-spot markings on the anal fin, which helps separate the sexes.

Conditioning

In the wild the species feeds primarily on small fish, in particular Lethrinops species. Condition broodstock on a meaty, fish-based diet appropriate for a predator, in clean, stable hard water.

Breeding Setup

Because of its adult size this hap needs a very large tank with open sand and some rock or cover. Lake Malawi cichlids thrive at pH 7.5-8.4 and 25-29 °C (77-84 °F). Males are polygynous, mating with multiple females, so a harem layout suits the species.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Males practice polygyny, mating with multiple females. After courtship the female lays eggs, takes them into her mouth and they are fertilised. A mature, well-fed harem and stable warm, hard water are the main triggers.

Egg & Fry Care

The female is a mouthbrooder, incubating up to 100 eggs in her mouth until they hatch and the fry become free-swimming. Released fry are large and take crushed flake and brine shrimp nauplii; rearing them apart from the predatory adults is essential.