Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere
Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere in natural conditions lives in African Lake Malawi, among the rocky crevices. The fish is not demanding and suitable for beginner aquarists.
Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere is a very beautiful fish. Its body is dark blue in color with large blue spots along the body. tail plumage straight, yellow in the center with bluish streaks, and dark blue above and below. Pectoral fins with elongated rays. The eyes are large with orange sheath around them. The size of females is 10 cm, while males reach 12 cm in length.
Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere can sometimes be very aggressive. Possible maintenance in pairs, but if the male begins to pursue the female all the time, it is desirable to put him a few more females. These fish can be kept in a common aquarium with other Malawian cichlids. Keep fish need in an aquarium of 150 liters. The same aquarium may contain multiple males, but in this case the aquarium should be large enough that each group of fish headed by males could have their own territory, which they will protect in every way.
Water parameters: temperature 24-28° C, hardness dH 9-19°, pH pH 7,8-8,6. Need regular water changes: twice a week, replacing ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Also requires filtration and aeration of water.
The soil must be sandy or in the form of fine gravel. These fish are constantly digging in the soil, building under rocks and various shelters entire mazes. Especially craving for "construction" they are manifested in the pre-reproduction period.
The fish feed mostly on algae in the wild, as well as various invertebrates and crustaceans that live in them. In an aquarium, they are fed artemia, chopped shrimp and mussel meat. Fish are also given spirulina and dry flakes containing it. Plant food should make up at least half of the total diet. The fish should be fed twice a day.
Reproduction
Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere reaches their sexual maturity by the age of one year.
Breeding fish is quite simple. Before the female spawns, the male digs quite an impressive hole in the sand between the rocks. After that, he is unattended near her fiercely driving away all the fish swimming nearby, but at the same time showing signs of attention to the female.
Female hatches a nest of up to 20 eggs, which immediately after fertilization by the male, she collects all the eggs in her mouth, where it incubates for 3 weeks. At the end of this period, fry leave the mouth of their mother and swim under the relentless control of both parents, and in case of danger immediately swim into the mouth of the female.
The fry are fed with artemia and dry food designed for fish fry.
Life expectancy Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere in aquarium conditions is about 8 years.
