Mbipia mbipi Care Guide
Mbipia mbipi is a rock-dwelling Lake Victoria cichlid from the south-east of the lake, reaching about 13 cm, with maternal mouthbrooding.
Overview
Mbipia mbipi is a haplochromine cichlid described by Lippitsch and Bouton in 1998 and endemic to Lake Victoria, where it is known from the south-eastern part of the lake. It is also catalogued as Haplochromis mbipi; the genus Mbipia is not universally accepted. It lives along rocky shores and is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mbipia (also placed in Haplochromis)
- Scientific name: Mbipia mbipi
- Authors: Lippitsch & Bouton, 1998
- Synonym: Haplochromis mbipi
Habitat
Wikipedia reports it as endemic to the south-eastern portion of Lake Victoria, generally found along gently sloping rocky shores at depths of about 0 to 6 metres. The Victoria basin is warm and alkaline.
Tank requirements
- Maximum size: about 13.1 cm (5.2 in) SL (Wikipedia)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (KB record, warm Victoria water)
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (KB record, alkaline Victoria water)
- Rocky aquascape with crevices and shallow zones
- Keep one male with several females
Diet
Specific dietary data for this species was not available from the consulted sources; as a rock-associated Victorian haplochromine a varied omnivorous aquarium diet of prepared and frozen foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
A rock-dwelling Victorian best kept one male with several females among other Victorian-region cichlids and Synodontis, with ample rockwork to define territories.
Breeding
As a Victorian haplochromine it is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.