Boulengerochromis microlepis
The giant cichlid is naturally found in Lake Tanganyika, Africa. These fish live in coastal areas, up to 100 m depth. Adults keep in small groups in open water, while juveniles prefer to stay on sandbanks near stony rocks.
Males are more brightly coloured and larger than females. The maximum size of the fish sometimes exceeds 50 cm.
Due to the rather large size of fish to keep them in very large aquariums with a capacity of 1000 liters. In nature, formed a pair of fish takes up an area of about 5 meters square.
Boulengerochromis microlepis is not aggressive towards larger fish, but any other fish that can fit into their mouths will certainly be eaten. Therefore, it is preferable to keep giant cichlids singly or in pairs in a species aquarium. Young fish live quite peacefully in a small group, but as they mature, begin to show the species aggression towards each other, which eventually leads to the survival of only one individual. If formed a pair, it will not allow the presence of any other fish in the aquarium.
Coarse-grained river sand is used as a substrate. At the bottom are placed a few large stones.
Water parameters: temperature 24-28° C, hardness dH 8-12°, acidity pH 7,5-9,0. Requires strong filtration with a canister-type water filter, aeration and a weekly change of ½ of the aquarium water with fresh.
In the wild, young fish will eat almost any food, but become fish-eating as they mature. Under aquarium conditions they are fed Artemia nauplii, Tubifex, chopped shrimp meat, earthworms, flakes and pelleted food. The food is given once or twice a day.
Reproduction
Breeding Boulengerochromis microlepis in aquarium conditions is possible, although not particularly practiced. Basically, these fish are bred in small quantities in fish farms located in the Far East and Florida.
Boulengerochromis microlepis reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 years. At this time, the fish reach a length of 40 cm.
The female lays eggs, up to 10 000 eggs, in a small hole dug in the sand or on a flat rock surface. The female lays the eggs in batches, while the male immediately fertilizes the clutch.
The eggs are incubated for 72 hours. After hatching larvae, parents move them into another hole previously dug in the substrate, where fry for 2-3 days, feeding on substances in their yolk sacs.
The percentage of surviving fry is low, but parental care knows no bounds. Some parents devote so much attention and energy to protecting their offspring that they may die of exhaustion as a result.
