Astatotilapia calliptera
- Description: Males are olive green with a red blaze on the face. Females keep their juvenile coloration of pale brown color.
- Common Names: None. This fish is often confused as a cichlid from Lake Victoria due to its strong resemblance to the Lake Victoria species.
- Locations Collected From: Wide distribution in the lake including the rivers flowing into lake Malawi.
- Approximate Size: 5 inches with females slightly smaller.
- Food: Eats everything including small fish that will fit into its mouth.
- Water Conditions: Probably the most tolerant fish I have ever kept. I have known people who have kept this species close to a pH of 7.0. Does well anywhere from 72 – 85 degrees F.
- Breeding Behavior: The most prolific mouthbrooding rift lake species that I have ever seen. Large females typically have spawns of 75 – 85 fry. My females would spawn hold the fry for about 7 – 10 days, release them and then spawn again 10 days later. Commonly used to spawn Synodontis catfish. Males are relatively docile towards females until right around spawning time.
- Tankmates: I have kept them with everything from Psuedotropheus kenyi to peacocks without a problem.