Bring Specialized Algae Scraper In Your Tank: Basic Information About Haplochromis Obliquidens

Haplochromis obliquidens photos

The fish pictured here was sold to me as Haplochromis obliquidens.  I am waiting to get them positively identified and will update this after that.  These photos also show the color change my male has gone through as he grew in size.

My males coloration at 2 – 2.5 inches.

The same males coloration at 3 – 3.5 inches.

The same male at adult size. 

My adult females.

• Common name:  This species is not the same species as Labrochromis (Haplochromis) ishmaeli.  Labrochromis ishmaeli has a much more rounded head and a very different coloration.
• Location and Lake collected from:  Lake Victoria
• Approximate size:  4 – 4.5 inches
• Food: Will eat most foods.  Mine have scraped the rocks in their tanks and also eaten the Java Moss I had in with them.  In the wild, this species is a specialized algae scraper.
• pH:  7.5 – 8.5
• Temperature:  76 – 82 degrees F.
• Breeding behavior:  Mouthbrooder.  Males can get very aggressive around spawning time so rocks are recommended for the females to hide in.   My male constantly chases my females even after they spawn so I move my brooding females to a 10 gallon of their own until they release their fry.  My females brood for 13 – 17 days and produce 30 – 40 fry each spawn. 
• Care of the Fry:  The fry can eat crushed flake food, baby brine shrimp, and other small foods.  They do well with several small feedings a day.  Hap. Obliquidens fry is not picky about their water conditions.   Most spawns can be kept in a 10-gallon tank up to an inch in size.
• Tankmates:  I have kept mine with several species from Lake Malawi.  These included several Mbuna (Labidochromis caeruleus, and Cynotilapia afra), and Utaka species (Copadichromis borleyi).
• Tank size:  I have kept 1 male and 4 females in a 40 gallon cube tank (24x24x18).
• Additional notes:  This species is on the 2000 red list of endangered species.  The fish pictured and described here was sold to me as Haplochromis obliquidens.  I am waiting to get them positively identified and will update this after that.

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