Paralabidochromis chromogynos Care Guide
Paralabidochromis chromogynos is a Lake Victoria haplochromine cichlid reaching about 11 cm, with marbled males and maternal mouthbrooding.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Paralabidochromis chromogynos Breeding Guide
Overview
Paralabidochromis chromogynos (also placed as Haplochromis chromogynos) is a haplochromine endemic to Lake Victoria, growing to about 11 cm SL and listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable (2010). It is a maternal mouthbrooder. Species-specific aquarium breeding accounts are scarce, so this guide presents the breeding pattern that is well documented across Lake Victoria haplochromines, of which all species are maternal mouthbrooders.
Sexing
As in Lake Victoria haps generally, males are the colourful sex and intensify their pattern at breeding, while females are duller and are the sole investors in parental care. Mature males carry egg-spot markings on the anal fin used during spawning. Detailed sexual-colour descriptions specific to this species are limited in the literature.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a varied omnivore diet in stable hard, alkaline Victorian water to bring females into spawning condition and to develop male display colour.
Breeding Setup
Use the standard Victorian-hap approach: a species tank with one male and several females, furnished with rockwork and open sand so a male can establish and display over a territory. Multiple females spread out courtship aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning follows the Lake Victoria haplochromine pattern: a male displays at his site, the female lays eggs and takes them into her mouth, and the male's anal-fin egg spots prompt collecting behaviour during which fertilisation occurs orally.
Egg & Fry Care
The female broods the eggs and larvae in her mouth; Lake Victoria haplochromines typically hold for roughly two to three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry, which accept small first foods such as brine shrimp nauplii. A holding female can be isolated to protect the brood.
Common Challenges
Because precise brood size, incubation time and colour cues for this species are not well documented, observe holding females directly and treat genus-level figures as a guide. As a Vulnerable species, maintain its captive line carefully and keep it from hybridising with other Victorian haps.