Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Rusty cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Iodotropheus sprengerae |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | 3-4" (7.5-10cm) |
| Origin: | Lake Malawi, East Africa. |
| Tank setup: | Typical mbuna tank with many rock caves. Recommend 3ft/92cm plus. |
| Compatibility: | A less aggressive species - combine with other mbuna species, which are not too aggressive. |
| Temperature: | 23-28oC (73-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12 ideally, but at least 5-6. |
| Feeding: | Omnivorous: feed live, frozen and flake/granular foods. |
| Sexing: | Colour is identical, but males have clear egg-spots and a longer anal fin. |
| Breeding: | Mouthbrooder. Spawning may produce between 5 and 60 eggs. |
| Comments: |
This species is not particularly aggressive and may be bullied by more aggressive tankmates. The base colour
of this species is brown, but with the right feeding, the adults should develop an attractive purple sheen.
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