Paralabidochromis chromogynos Care Guide
Paralabidochromis chromogynos is a Lake Victoria haplochromine cichlid reaching about 11 cm, with marbled males and maternal mouthbrooding.
Overview
Paralabidochromis chromogynos is a haplochromine cichlid described by Greenwood in 1959 and endemic to Lake Victoria. It is also catalogued under the name Haplochromis chromogynos. Males show a marbled (piebald) black-on-light pattern. It is a maternal mouthbrooder of the Victoria cichlid radiation.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Paralabidochromis (also placed in Haplochromis)
- Scientific name: Paralabidochromis chromogynos
- Author: Greenwood, 1959
- Synonym: Haplochromis chromogynos
Habitat
Wikipedia reports the species as endemic to Lake Victoria in East Africa. The Victoria basin is warm and alkaline; like other rock-associated Victorians it benefits from structured aquascapes that provide territories.
Tank requirements
- Maximum size: about 11 cm (4.3 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
- Keep one male with several females
Diet
Specific dietary data for this species was not available from the consulted sources; as a Victorian haplochromine a varied omnivorous aquarium diet of prepared and frozen foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
A Victorian haplochromine best kept one male with several females among other peaceful-to-robust Victorian-region species and Synodontis catfish, with rockwork to spread 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: Vulnerable.