Placidochromis electra Breeding Guide

Breeding Placidochromis electra, the Deep Water Hap from Lake Malawi: sexing, harem spawning, sand-pit display and three-week maternal mouthbrooding of up to 50 eggs.

Overview

Placidochromis electra is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs over sandy substrates generally at depths of around 7 m (23 ft); the type material came from Likoma Island. Members of the genus Placidochromis live in the open or sandy regions of the lake. Wikipedia gives a length of 12 cm (4.7 in) SL, while Seriously Fish reports aquarium males to 20 cm and females to 15 cm.

Sexing

Males grow larger and are much more colourful than females, which remain plainer. Dominant breeding males show the brightest sky-blue colour, so the largest, most intensely coloured fish in a group are males.

Conditioning

In the lake the species follows sand-sifting cichlids to pick up invertebrates they stir up. Condition broodstock on small invertebrate-based foods and maintain firm, alkaline rift-lake water; recommended breeding values are pH around 8.0-8.5 and 25-27 C (77-80 F).

Breeding Setup

This species is best kept and spawned as a harem with several females per male. Provide open sand over which the male can excavate a spawning pit, in a tank large enough to accommodate the group and the male's displays.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

Males excavate pits in the sand and spawn there, displaying intense colour and using egg-shaped spots on the anal fin to draw the female into collecting the eggs while the male fertilises them. The female then carries the brood in her mouth.

Egg & Fry Care

The female carries a brood of up to 50 eggs for around three weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry accept newly hatched brine shrimp or microworm as soon as they are free-swimming and grow on well with frequent small feeds. A brooding female should not be moved, as stress may cause her to spit out or consume the brood prematurely, so a separate, quiet maturation tank is often used once she is carrying.

Common Challenges

Maintaining the stable, hard, alkaline water of Lake Malawi is essential. Because the species naturally occurs over sand at moderate depth and follows sand-sifting cichlids to feed, a peaceful community over open sand suits it and reduces stress that could interrupt spawning. As a maternal mouthbrooder the holding female stops feeding while incubating, so good conditioning beforehand and minimal disturbance during brooding are the keys to success.