Ophthalmotilapia nasuta Care Guide
Ophthalmotilapia nasuta is a featherfin cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, a plankton-feeder and maternal mouthbrooder reaching about 20 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ophthalmotilapia nasuta is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Poll and Matthes in 1962. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 20 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Ophthalmotilapia
- Scientific name: Ophthalmotilapia nasuta
- Described by: Poll & Matthes, 1962
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika. According to FishBase it is a benthopelagic fish occurring over a depth range of about 2 to 10 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (FishBase records 24-26 °C)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 7-11 years
Diet
According to FishBase, Ophthalmotilapia nasuta feeds on microorganisms in the plankton. In the aquarium small frozen and prepared foods offered in the water column suit this plankton-feeding habit.
Compatibility
This semi-aggressive featherfin uses the middle of the tank and is best kept in groups. Suitable companions include Cyprichromis and Cyphotilapia, while aggressive Mbuna and Tropheus should be avoided.
Breeding
According to FishBase, females brood their young in the mouth and release the fry close to shore and near the surface.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Ophthalmotilapia nasuta Breeding Guide
Overview
Ophthalmotilapia nasuta is a Lake Tanganyika featherfin reaching up to about 20 cm and is a maternal mouthbrooder. Males excavate large sand craters or build nests on flat rock and display to attract females. Like its congeners, the male carries egg-dummy structures on the tips of his elongated pelvic fins.
Sexing
Males are larger and more colourful with longer fins than females, particularly the ventral (pelvic) fins; the extended 'nose' is also more prominent in males. Females are plainer and smaller.
Conditioning
Condition the group on quality foods and keep several females with a single male so the male's attention is shared and aggression toward individual females is reduced.
Breeding Setup
A large tank with extensive open sand is essential, as the male's crater can be up to about 90 cm in diameter; flat rock can be used if the male prefers to build there. Maintain pH around 7.5-9.0, hardness 8-25 dH and a temperature of roughly 23-27 C (73-81 F).
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male displays over his nest, and the egg-shaped structures at the ends of his long pelvic fins attract the female. When she snaps at them to add them to the brood in her mouth she takes up the male's sperm, fertilising the eggs orally.
Egg & Fry Care
The female may carry the eggs for about three to four weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii and crushed spirulina flake from the day they are released.
Common Challenges
The very large bower requires a generous open sand footprint, so undersized or rock-heavy tanks suppress breeding. Several females per male are needed to manage male aggression, and stable warm, hard, alkaline water must be maintained through brooding.