Chipokee Mbuna care guide
Chipokee Mbuna (Melanochromis chipokae) — minimum tank 350 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Melanochromis chipokae is one of the larger and more aggressive members of the genus, reaching about 15 cm. Adult males are deep blue-black with two pale horizontal stripes; females are bright yellow with horizontal bars. Endemic to the Chipoka area of southern Lake Malawi.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Melanochromis
- Scientific name: Melanochromis chipokae
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: 350 L (92.5 US gal)
- Adult size: 12-15 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.
Melanochromis chipokae Breeding Guide
Overview
Melanochromis chipokae is an aggressive, predatory mbuna endemic to the southwestern region of Lake Malawi, reaching about 12 cm standard length. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and it is arguably the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, with a violent disposition that eats fish fry and crustaceans.
Sexing
Mature males are a completely different colour to the golden females and juvenile or sub-dominant males, taking on a black and blue colouration. The male carries the egg-shaped spots on the anal fin that attract females during spawning.
Conditioning
Condition the group with plenty of live, frozen and vegetable foods. Keep the water alkaline and stable, with a pH around 8.2-8.5 and a temperature of about 25-27 degrees Celsius (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Breeding Setup
A 120 cm (48-inch) aquarium is a good size, with larger being preferable, furnished with rocks, caves, flat stones and open substrate areas. Use a harem of one male and at least three females so the male's aggression is spread among them.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female lays her eggs and takes them into her mouth, drawn to the egg spots on the male's anal fin so that the clutch is fertilised. Because of the species' violent disposition, courtship can be rough on the females.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the 20 to 40 eggs for around three weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry, refusing food throughout the holding period. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from birth. Because this is a relatively large mbuna, broods of 20 to 40 are reasonably productive once a female is in full condition.
Common Challenges
Extreme aggression is the defining challenge: as arguably the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it requires a generous harem in a large tank, and because the species is predatory and eats fish fry and crustaceans, it will consume its own and other fish's young, so rearing the fry in a separate grow-out tank is advisable. A stressed holding female may release the brood prematurely if disturbed, and a single dominant male can harass a small group of females severely if the tank is too small.