Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis

Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis inhabit Lake Tanganyika in the wild. The fish stay in relatively deep water, just above rocky bases. Moreover, males hide in caves or under rocky ledges all the time, while females mostly swim in the open.
Generally, males are larger than females, have a brighter colouration and elongated fins. The maximum size of the fish is 11 cm.
An aquarium with a volume of at least 200 liters is sufficient for a small group of 8 fish. This fish species generally spends most of its time in the upper layers of water, so free space for the fish to swim is important. Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis may be kept in a common tank with other peace-loving cichlid species, preferably occupying the lower layers of water, although it is still best to keep them in a species aquarium.
The aquarium should have numerous shelters in the form of rocks with caves and crevices.
Water parameters: temperature 24-27° C, hardness dH 8-25°, pH 7,5-9,0. Requires good filtration, aeration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
Preferably low, diffused light. Daily light duration of about 10 hours.
The main food of the fish in the aquarium is a variety of live and frozen food (Artemia, daphnia, chironomid moths). These fish have small mouths and naturally feed on zooplankton.
Reproduction
Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis spawn quite rarely in an aquarium. For breeding fish need to be in the aquarium contained at least 8-10 individuals, and 1 male should have 2-3 females.
Males occupy certain areas, usually a relatively large cave, near the steep walls, which will later spawn females. When the female will be ready to spawn, the male begins to lure her in every way possible to its territory. The female swims up and adopts an upright position with her head down to the base of the stone wall. The male is slightly above the female at this time. The female hatches one egg and immediately takes it in her mouth, while the male emits a continuous stream of milk, thus fertilizing the eggs. A total of 5-25 eggs are hatched by the female.
The eggs incubate in the female's mouth for 3-4 weeks. After this time, the fully developed fry leave the female's mouth. During the incubation of eggs the female should not be disturbed because she may spit out all the eggs or swallow them whole when spooked.
As soon as the fry begin to swim, it is advisable to transfer them to another aquarium to maintain their numbers. The fry are fed with Artemia from the first days of life.