Melanochromis chipokae

Common name		Young male Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics © Sean Evans
Scientific name	Melanochromis chipokae
Synonyms
Size	4" (10cm)
Origin	Lake Malawi, East Africa
Tank setup	A large tank with many rock caves
Compatibility	Can be very aggressive, combine with larger and more aggressive mbuna species. Do not keep more than one male (or similar males of other Melanochromis). Ideally, at least three females should be kept, to prevent constant harassment of a single female.
Temperature	23-28oC (73-82oF)
Water chemistry	Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12
Feeding	Carnivorous: feed frozen/live foods along with flake/granular foods.
Sexing	Colouration in juveniles is identical, and similar to M. auratus, but males become much darker in colour (see photo).
Breeding	Mouthbrooder, see general article linked below.

See also the Malawi mbuna section for more detailed info on keeping and breeding the Malawi mbuna cichlids.