Bumblebee Cichlid

Bumblebee Cichlid
(Pseudotropheus crabro)

QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Water Conditions: 76-82° F, KH 10-15, pH 7.8-8.6
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Black, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Africa - Lake Malawi
Family: Cichlidae

The Bumblebee Cichlid, also known as the Hornet Cichlid, or Chameleon Cichlid comes from deepwater caves in Lake Malawi, Africa. The coloration of the Bumblebee is a golden yellow background with vertical brown to black bars running the length of its body.

The Bumblebee will do best in a cichlid community aquarium. Provide numerous rocks and caves and a sandy bottom with plenty of places to set up territories. A laterite-based substrate is ideal for this system as it will help to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity.

For best results in spawning, the males should be kept with at least three females. The female will spawn on a flat rock and will take the unfertilized eggs into her mouth and will follow closely behind the male until he releases the sperm to fertilize the eggs. The female will tend to the eggs for approximately three weeks before releasing the fry. The fry can then be fed newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, or crushed flake food.

The Bumblebee Cichlid should be fed foods rich in vegetable matter such as flake, pellet, and leafy seaweeds. Their diet should also be supplemented with meaty plankton-rich foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.

from www.liveaquaria.com