ASTATOREOCHROMIS ALLUAUDI
Haplochromis alluaudi naturally inhabits the African Lake Victoria and adjacent bodies of water. The fish stay along rocky shores at a depth of 1-5 m, as well as in reed beds and areas with submerged vegetation.
The male Astatoreochromis alluaudi is brassy yellow in color. The coloration gradually turns green as it approaches the tail plumage. The anal fin is red with a black border and several yellow egg spots with a gray border. Dorsal fin with black edging, pelvic fins black. A broad black stripe runs from the forehead through the eye and ends at the corner of the mouth. Depending on the emotional state of the fish, weakly contrasting dark transverse stripes appear on its body. Females have small dorsal and anal fins. Their anal fin is not red, and the color of the pelvic fins lighter. The maximum size of the fish is 15 cm.
Haplochromis alluaudi - rather aggressive fish, and the main aggression they show at a mature age in relation to their peers. Other fish species they do not bother, at least if the aquarium is large enough. Since this species does not interbreed with other Lake Victoria cichlids, they can be cultured with other species of similar size.
It is recommended to keep the fish in a ratio of 1 male to 2 females. The aquarium should have an area of at least 120 x 40 cm and a volume of 250 liters. Coarse-grained river sand is used as substrate. It should be emphasized that each male can form a territory, and to prevent conflict between them, the territory in the aquarium should be separated by large stone structures, the height of which reaches about half the height of the aquarium. Place bushes [leech=https://housaqua.com/259-paporotnik-tailandskiy.html|Thailand fern (Microsorium pteropus)] or anubias on the bottom, attaching them to large boulders.
Water parameters: temperature 24-28° C, hardness dH 12-30°, acidity pH 7,2-8,6. Requires filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
Haplochromis alluaudi is a fish whose main menu in the wild consists of snails, whose shells they crush in their mouths. In captivity, they are not picky eaters. Fish are fed flakes, mussel meat, white and black mosquito larvae, artemia nauplii, mizid and sometimes a piece of zucchini or cucumber. The food is given 1-2 times a day.
Reproduction
The female incubates the eggs in her mouth. During the spawning period, the male selects a suitable shelter in which to attract the female. After the female marks the eggs and is fertilized by the male, she collects all the eggs into her mouth. The eggs incubate in the female's mouth for 20 days. During this time, she does not eat anything. The fully developed fry leave the female's mouth. The female does not eat her young.
The fry are fed nauplii of artemia and cyclops.
Life expectancy of Haplochromis alluaudi is 3-5 years.
