Callochromis pleurospilus
Callochromis multicolor, synonyms:
- Pelmatochromis pleurospilus Boulenger, 1906
- Pelmatochromis rhodostigma Boulenger, 1906
- Callochromis rhodostigma (Boulenger, 1906)
- Pelmatochromis stappersii Boulenger, 1914
- Callochromis stappersii (Boulenger, 1914)
Callochromis pleurospilus naturally inhabits the shallow waters and along the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, at the border where riparian vegetation meets the lake. Males spend their time patrolling and defending a small area, fiercely driving away other males and fish of similar size. The fish live in a harem consisting of one male and several females.
Callochromis pleurospilus are not brightly colored, but if you take a good look, the body of the fish shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow, which makes them a very attractive addition to many small aquariums. The males are more colorful, while the females are silvery gray. The maximum size of the fish is 10-12 cm.
Multicolor Callochromis feels good in an aquarium of at least 120x50 cm as the substrate used sand. At the bottom must be placed large stones and snags. The perimeter of the aquarium planted a variety of plants. The key to successful keeping Callochromis pleurospilus in the home aquarium is to mitigate their natural aggression due to the size of the aquarium, aquarium neighbors and the correct location of aquarium decorations.
Callochromis multicolor will be very aggressive toward other males and males of similar species. To mitigate this behavior, it is best to keep these fish in a species aquarium with one male and a small group of 4-6 females.
Water parameters: temperature 25-27° C, hardness dH 10-20°, pH: 7,8-8,5. Requires quality filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Also in the aquarium should create a small current of water.
The fish have no particular requirements for lighting, so you need to focus on the plants planted in the aquarium, providing them with the necessary level of light to ensure their normal development.
In nature, multicolor callochromis feed on insects and their larvae, small crustaceans, which they find in the roots of plants and rocky areas along the shoreline of the lake. Under aquarium conditions, the fish are fed artemia, daphnia, moths, and flake food.
Reproduction
In the wild, males build small hollows in the sandy substrate or use a crevice among the rocks, which attracted the female. Once the female marks the eggs (25-57 eggs), and it is fertilized by the male, she collects the entire clutch to her mouth, where the eggs are incubated for about 3 weeks. As soon as the fry hatch, the female releases them from her mouth and they lead an independent life from that point on.
The male should be transferred to another aquarium as soon as he fertilizes the eggs. The same should be done with the female as soon as the fry leave her mouth.
The fry are fed Artemia nauplii and ground into powdered flakes. Feed four times a day.
