Placidochromis milomo Breeding Guide
Breeding Placidochromis milomo, the thick-lipped Super VC-10 hap from Lake Malawi: thickened-lip feeding, sexing, harem spawning and three-week maternal mouthbrooding.
Overview
Placidochromis milomo, known in the hobby as the VC-10 or Super VC-10, is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi along the Malawian shores, where it prefers rocky substrates. It reaches a length of 18.7 cm (7.4 in) SL. The specific epithet milomo means lips in the Chewa language, referring to its thickened lips. Members of the genus Placidochromis live in the open or sandy regions of the lake.
Sexing
Like other Lake Malawi haplochromines, the species shows the sexual dimorphism typical of the group, with dominant males developing the strongest nuptial colour while females remain plainer. Wild fish develop more strongly thickened lips than aquarium specimens, in which the lips are only slightly thickened.
Conditioning
In the wild the fish uses its thickened lips to scrape from rocks, and this feeding action appears to thicken the lips further. Condition broodstock on a varied diet and stable, firm, alkaline rift-lake water to support spawning readiness.
Breeding Setup
As a larger but relatively peaceful hap, the species is best spawned in a harem of one male with several females in a spacious tank, dividing the male's attention across the group. Provide rockwork and open substrate to give the male a site to display over.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
Placidochromis milomo is a maternal mouthbrooder, as is universal for Lake Malawi haplochromines. A receptive female lays her eggs at the male's chosen site, the male fertilises them, and the female collects them into her mouth to brood.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the eggs and larvae in her buccal cavity for roughly three weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry, in line with the maternal mouthbrooding pattern of the group. A brooding female should be left undisturbed to prevent premature release of the brood.
Common Challenges
Because of its adult size this species needs a large tank, and the firm alkaline water of Lake Malawi must be maintained. As it prefers rocky substrates in the lake, generous rockwork helps the fish settle and gives the male a structured area to hold and display over. The common name VC-10 arose from the fish's rapid flight when a Lake Malawi fish trader tried to catch it, comparing its speed to the Vickers Super VC-10 airliner. As with all maternal mouthbrooders, the holding female stops feeding while incubating, so condition broodstock well beforehand.