Maylandia fainzilberi Care Guide
Maylandia fainzilberi is a rock-dwelling mbuna from Lake Malawi. Males are blue with bars and females show an orange-blotch pattern; it is an aggressive maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
Maylandia fainzilberi is a rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) endemic to Lake Malawi, described by Staeck in 1976. Maylandia are small, brightly coloured and often markedly sexually dimorphic haplochromines; in this species males are blue with brown bars while females develop an orange-blotch (OB) pattern.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia (= Metriaclima)
- Scientific name: Maylandia fainzilberi
- Authority: Staeck, 1976
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Lake Malawi (roughly 9-15 degrees south) as a freshwater demersal fish, with a pH range of 8.0-9.0 and hardness of 10-18 dH. Maylandia are rock-dwellers that graze the rocky littoral zone.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 12.9 cm TL (FishBase)
- Substrate: sand with abundant rockwork
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The species is a herbivore. Like other mbuna it grazes algae and aufwuchs from rocks, so a vegetable-based diet suits it; excess animal protein can cause digestive problems.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, territorial mbuna for experienced keepers. Suitable companions include Synodontis petricola, Synodontis multipunctatus and other mbuna of similar aggression. Gentle fish such as Discus, angelfish, tetras, Apistogramma and rams should be avoided.
Breeding
Maylandia are maternal mouthbrooders; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).