Bumblebee Cichlid

<p>The average adult male is 6 inches while the average adult female is 5 inches. This species can live up to 10 years with proper care. These fish have a “chameleon” ability, this means they can quickly change between 2 color patterns. They are yellow with dark stripes, hence the common names “ Bumblebee” and “Hornet”, when they are cleaning <em>Bragus meridionalis</em> and eating its parasites and then turn black when they want to steal and eat this catfish’s eggs. To keep these fish in a tank, the water should have a pH between 7.8 and 8.6 and water temperatures ranging from 71.6ºF to 78.8ºF, the substrate should be sandy or rocky and the tank should have large boulders, caves and plenty of hiding places. They are highly aggressive so it isn’t recommended to place them in a community aquarium, especially with fish of the same genus to avoid hybridization, however, if the hobbyist really wants to keep them in a community aquarium they can be kept with other aggressive Cichlids, mainly Mbunas. They should be kept in groups of one male to six or more females, the male may harass the females to death and the dominant male will kill any other male he sees as rival.</p>

<p>This species is omnivorous. In the wild it will eat anything it can but it is specialized in cleaning <em>Bagrus meridionalis</em> eating the parasites it finds and eating the catfish’s eggs. In an aquarium they can be fed flakes, pellets, spirulina and prepared Cichlid foods.</p>

<p>Males are larger, have pointy fins and are more colorful than females.</p> <p> </p>

<p>A big water change induces breeding response, during breeding the male will turn to a deep dark color. Once the breeding starts, the male will circle the female to ger her to a flat rock, here, she will lay her eggs and then pick them up and follow the male until he releases the sperm and fertilize the eggs. The reason why the female follows the male is because the male has egg spots on his anal fin and she thinks those are more eggs to collect. The eggs will hatch after 10 days but the female will keep the fry in her mouth for 15 more days. After these 3 weeks she will release the fry and these can be fed with newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia or crushed flake food.</p>

<p>Bumblebee Cichlids are susceptible to Malawi bloat. They become more vulnerable to it if their dietary needs aren’t met.</p>

<p>This species can be found in Lake Malawi, Africa. It inhabits deep water caves.</p>

<p>These fish are very vulnerable to poor water conditions so it is important to keep a good filtration system and to do frequent water changes.</p>

Venomous (Change Content)