Blue Mbuna Fish

Scientific name: Labeotropheus fuelleborni Common name: Blue mbuna Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 13 - 18 cm (5.12 - 7.09 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 7.5 - 8.8 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 - 30°N (214.29 - 535.71ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 21 - 28 °C (69.8 - 82.4°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Africa Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Common Names Blue Mbuna or Fuelleborn’s cichlid Food Herbivorous - Blue mbunas are mostly algae eaters, scraping algae off the rocks. Spirulina, lettuce and peas are readily accepted. They will also accept live foods even though they are mostly herbivores. Sexing Males have “dummy egg spots” on their anal fins. The females tend to be slightly smaller than males. Breeding Blue Mbuna are mouthbrooding cichlids which means fertilization and hatching takes place in the female’s mouth. The young will be released after three weeks when they are free swimming and ready to take crushed flake food. Brood size is usually between 25-50 fry. Lifespan 12 years Origin Lake Malawi of the East Africa Rift Valley, where the currents are a little rough. Description There are many different color variations of this species, for example the “red top morph” and the “orange blotch morph”. Sources Aquarium Fishes of the World by Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod, Dr. Warren E. Burgess, Neal Pronek, Glen S. Axelrod, David E. BoruchowitzAquarium Fish by Dick MillsEncyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish by David Alderton Pictures Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk