Haplochromis nyererei
Haplochromis nyererei (Pundamilia nyererei) lives naturally in the African Lake Victoria. The greatest accumulation of these fish is observed in the southern part of the lake. There is almost no aquatic vegetation, the underwater landscape consists of rocky shores with large crevices and grottos and rocky bottoms. The fish is named after Julius Kambarage Nyerere, President of Tanzania, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1985.
Haplochromis nyererei has a blue abdomen and orange back. Transverse yellow stripes run all over the body. The coloration of females is gray, only their fins and tail plumage with blue and red pigmentation. Males are larger than females and more brightly colored. It takes more than 10 varieties in the coloration of these fish and, in order to avoid confusion when identifying them, the names of the islands where each variety occurs are added to the name of the fish, such as "Nancio Island", "Ruthie Island", "Zue Island", "Makube Island", "Iombe Island", "Anchor Island", "Python Islands" and "Luanso Island".
These fish need a large open space to swim in. Around the perimeter of the aquarium should be placed piles of large rocks with chasms between them. The bottom should also be stony. Keep fish should be a group of 3-4 individuals (1 male and 2-3 females). For such a number of fish need an aquarium of 250 liters. males are very aggressive towards each other, so you can not in the aquarium include more than one male. Perhaps the content of these cichlids with other cichlids that inhabit Lake Victoria.
Water parameters: temperature 23-27° C, hardness dH 3-15°, pH 7,0-8,5. Requires aeration, filtration and weekly replacement of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh. The aquarium should not be a strong movement of water.
Lighting is weak, lasting about 10 hours a day.
The fish will eat almost any food they are given, so there is usually no problem with feeding them in the aquarium. Haplochromis nyererei fed live, frozen and dry food: Tubifex, chironomid, daphnia, artemia, flake and pelleted food. Feed fish at least 2 times a day.
Reproduction
Ideally, breeding Haplochromis nyererei should be in a species aquarium, where live 1 male and at least 3 females, although in general aquarium fish sometimes spawn. In general, breeding of these fish is not difficult.
During spawning, the female postpones about 30-50 eggs, which immediately after fertilization by the male to collect themselves in his mouth, where the eggs are incubated for about 3 weeks. Immediately after birth, fry 1.5-2 weeks are under the patronage of their mother.
The fry are fed with artemia, micro worms, and dry powdered food.
