Msobo Mbuna (Maylandia sp.) Care Guide
The Msobo is a rock-dwelling mbuna from the Magunga area of Lake Malawi, traded as Maylandia sp. "Msobo". It is an aggressive maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
The Msobo is a rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) from the Magunga area of Lake Malawi, traded as Maylandia sp. "Msobo". Maylandia is a genus of rock-dwelling haplochromines endemic to Lake Malawi. The genus name has a complex history: Maylandia (1984) was temporarily replaced by Metriaclima (1997), but Metriaclima was later declared a junior synonym of Maylandia, restoring the original name.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia (= Metriaclima)
- Scientific name: Maylandia sp. "Msobo"
- Common synonyms: Maylandia msobo, Msobo Magunga
Habitat
Maylandia are rock-dwelling mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. They are brightly coloured and often strongly sexually dimorphic. The Msobo shows reverse sexual dichromatism, with yellow-orange females and blue-and-black males.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with abundant rockwork
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The Msobo is a herbivore. Mbuna graze the algal mat (aufwuchs) on rocks, so a vegetable-based diet, such as spirulina foods, suits them; excess animal protein can cause digestive problems.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, territorial mbuna best left to 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 are unsuitable, as are other yellow mbuna that may trigger conspecific aggression.
Breeding
Maylandia practise maternal mouthbrooding; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.