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Rusty cichlid

Iodotropheus sprengerae

The Rusty cichlid, also known as the Lavender Mbuna, found amongst rocky habitats of Lake Malawi, Africa. The base colour is brown but when enticing a female or defending its territory it becomes a beautiful purple.

The Rusty cichlid 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.

The Rusty cichlid is one of the smaller malawi cichlids with the males growing to 9 cm. this fish is difficult to sex and the only differance between male and female is a large, clearly defined pseudo-ocelli on the males longer anal fin.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 Rusty 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.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small 2cm - 4cm

Due to variations within each species, your aquatic life may not look identical to the image provided.