VC-10 Cichlid care guide
VC-10 Cichlid (Placidochromis milomo) — minimum tank 500 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Placidochromis milomo ("VC-10" / "Super VC-10") is a Lake Malawi haplochromine recognisable by enormously thickened, fleshy lips that males use to feel for invertebrate prey in rock crevices. Adults reach about 22 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Placidochromis
- Scientific name: Placidochromis milomo
- Common synonyms: Super VC-10
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits sandy bays, sediment-rich flats and the sand-rock interface of the open lake. The water is hard and alkaline (pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15) and warm year round; large adults forage across open sand and through rock outcrops.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L (132.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 18-22 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
In the wild a carnivore or specialised feeder depending on species — many haps eat small fish, invertebrates or sift sand for hidden prey. In aquaria a moderate-protein cichlid pellet supplemented with frozen krill, mysis and chopped earthworm maintains condition and colour; vegetable matter is not the main component as it is for mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive but larger than mbuna; best kept in spacious 350+ L tanks with one male and several females, alongside other peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks. Avoid mixing with rock-dwelling mbuna, whose constant aggression suppresses these larger fish, and avoid similar-coloured congeners to prevent hybridisation.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a sand "scrape" or a small territory near a rock, displays his nuptial colours and entices females to spawn; the female collects the eggs into her mouth and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most haps are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern; localised forms with narrow ranges are more vulnerable to environmental change.
Placidochromis milomo Breeding Guide
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.