Sciaenochromis benthicola Care Guide
Sciaenochromis benthicola is a predatory haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. Males develop a deep iridescent blue body; it needs a large tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sciaenochromis benthicola is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, described by Konings in 1993. Its species name comes from Greek benthos (deep) and Latin cola (dweller), referring to the depth at which it was collected. Dominant males develop a deep iridescent blue body.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Sciaenochromis
- Scientific name: Sciaenochromis benthicola
- Authority: Konings, 1993
Habitat
FishBase records the species as endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa, a freshwater demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish of tropical waters; the species name reflects capture at depth.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
The species is a carnivore with a high trophic level of about 4.1 according to FishBase, indicating a predatory feeding position. A diet of quality carnivore-oriented prepared and frozen foods suits it.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive predatory hap that suits large Malawi displays. It mixes with Aulonocara peacocks, other haps and Synodontis multipunctatus, but should not be kept with aggressive mbuna, Tropheus or soft-water and small fish such as Discus, Apistogramma and tetras that could be eaten.
Breeding
Sciaenochromis are maternal mouthbrooders; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Sciaenochromis benthicola Breeding Guide
Overview
Sciaenochromis benthicola (Konings, 1993) is a predatory haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, living in a demersal habitat. FishBase records a high trophic level of about 4.1, consistent with a piscivorous diet, and a maximum length of 14 cm SL; IUCN status is Least Concern. (The associated knowledge-base record lists a larger maximum size of around 25 cm; this guide follows the FishBase figure of 14 cm SL.) As a Malawi hap, it is a maternal mouthbrooder. Detailed spawning observations are limited, so the genus-level Malawi-hap pattern is described where species data are absent.
Sexing
Mature males develop the deep iridescent blue coloration typical of breeding Sciaenochromis, while females remain plainer and silvery; coloration is the practical sexing cue in adult fish.
Conditioning
As a piscivore (trophic level ~4.1), it is conditioned on meaty foods appropriate to a fish-eating predator, avoiding mammalian fats. Stable hard, alkaline Malawi water supports breeding.
Breeding Setup
A large tank is essential for a predatory hap of this size. Following the typical Malawi-hap approach, it is bred as a harem of one male with several females over open sand with rock structure, giving subdominant fish room to escape the male.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
In the Malawi-hap maternal mouthbrooding pattern, the male displays over a chosen spawning site; the female lays eggs that the male fertilizes, then takes the fertilized eggs into her mouth to incubate.
Egg & Fry Care
The female broods the eggs and larvae in her mouth and shelters the fry there before releasing them as free-swimming young. Exact brood-duration and clutch figures for this species are not provided in the consulted scientific sources and are therefore omitted.
Common Challenges
The combination of large adult size and predatory feeding means tankmates must be too large to be eaten and the tank must be spacious; as with other blue Malawi haps, avoiding hybridization with similar species is important for line integrity.