Trematocranus placodon Care Guide
Trematocranus placodon is a Lake Malawi hap with crushing pharyngeal teeth specialised for eating snails, useful against snail infestations.
Overview
Trematocranus placodon is a haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi originally described as Haplochromis placodon by Regan in 1922. It possesses robust pharyngeal teeth adapted to crushing snail shells, and males show blue colour with yellow flanks. The species is sometimes used to help control snail populations in aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Trematocranus
- Scientific name: Trematocranus placodon
- Common synonyms: Haplochromis placodon, Cyrtocara placodon
Habitat
The species is widespread in Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River, occupying shallow waters with aquatic vegetation but recorded to depths around 32 m. It feeds on gastropods including Bulinus nyassanus; because that snail carries bilharzia parasites, declines in snail-eating cichlids have been linked to increased bilharzia in the lake.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with some open swimming space
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
This is a molluscivore. FishBase records it feeding mainly on gastropods, crushing the shells with its pharyngeal teeth. In the aquarium it accepts meaty frozen and prepared foods, and may consume nuisance snails.
Compatibility
Trematocranus placodon is a relatively peaceful hap suited to other Lake Malawi haps, Aulonocara peacocks and Synodontis multipunctatus. It should not be combined with aggressive mbuna, Tropheus, or soft-water fish such as discus, Apistogramma and tetras.
Breeding
The species is a maternal mouthbrooder. FishBase notes that a female can carry over 100 young in her mouth. Captive breeding is rated intermediate.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Trematocranus placodon as Least Concern (assessed 19 June 2018), despite some regional declines.