Lobochilotes labiatus Breeding Guide

How the big-lipped Tanganyika cichlid Lobochilotes labiatus breeds: maternal mouthbrooding, large adult size, conditioning and rocky-zone biology.

Overview

Lobochilotes labiatus is a large Tanganyika cichlid, reaching up to about 36.8 cm TL, with thick rubbery lips used to extract invertebrates from rock crevices. It is usually seen near rocks but is suspected to roam sunken sand plains in search of bivalve molluscs, crabs and other invertebrates. It is a maternal mouthbrooder.

Sexing

External sexing is not strongly marked in this species. Brooding females are recorded at roughly 14.8 to 19.0 cm SL, indicating the fish must reach a substantial size before it will spawn.

Conditioning

Given its natural diet of molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrates picked from crevices, breeders are conditioned on varied meaty invertebrate foods. Its large adult size demands a spacious tank to bring fish into condition.

Breeding Setup

A large aquarium with substantial rockwork reflecting its rocky habitat is required, given the adult size. Maintain hard alkaline water reported at pH 7.5-8.5, hardness 13-17 dH and a temperature of about 24-27 C.

Egg & Fry Care

As a maternal mouthbrooder, the female incubates the eggs and larvae orally; larvae of up to about 2.03 cm TL are mouthbrooded by females. The mother carries and protects the developing young until they are released as free-swimming fry.

Common Challenges

The main obstacles are the species' large adult size and the consequent need for a very large, rock-furnished tank with stable hard, alkaline water. Mature, well-conditioned females of adequate size are needed before spawning can be expected.