|
|
|
Cichlids
/ Africa / Zebra Haplochromis
Zebra Haplochromis
Haplochromis obliquidens | Pictures
Synonyms: Chromis
obliquidens, Clinodon bayoni, Ctenochromis obliquidens, Hemitilapia bayoni, Tilapia obliquidens
Physical description: An elongated fish with lateral compression.
The coloration is highly variable depending
on sex, mood, dominance, spawning season, and population.
Dominant males in spawning dress are most colorful.
The
back is orange-red, while the flanks are bright yellow-green.
The throat and underparts are light turquoise.
The
body is marked with 8-9 transverse bars.
The fins are multicolored.
Females are gray-yellow in color, while
non-dominant males assume similar coloration of the female.
Size/Length: To 5" (13 cm)
Similar species: Other "Haplochromis
" species including
Haplochromis brownae and forms of
H. nyererei
.
Habitat: East Africa; endemic to the coastal regions in rocky and planted biotopes of Lake
Victoria.
This species, like most other Lake Malawi cichlids, is threatened to the brink of distinction in
the lake as a result of the introduction of foreign species (Nile Perch) into the lake.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 36" (91 cm) or 45 gallons (170 L) is sufficient, although a 48" (122 cm) tank is
preferable.
The substrate should be fine gravel or sand.
Provide hiding places among rocks and caves.
Plant
sections of the tank heavily with robust, well-rooted species suck as
Anubias and
Vallisneria.
Leave open swimming areas.
The filter should be strong, but create
little current.
Water chemistry: 7-8.2 (8.0), 10-25 dH (18), 75-81°F (24-27°C)
Social behavior: Males are territorial, requiring a large territory that they guard aggressively.
Keep
one male with two or more females.
This species can be combined with other robust, similar-sized species.
This species will not usually damage
plants, other than uproot them, when given vegetable-based foods.
Suggested companions: Other Lake Victoria Haplochromines; Lake Malawi mbunas, Haplochromines, and
Aulonocara;
Hemichromis
; Cichlasomines; Synodontis
.
FOOD: Live; insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, worms; flakes; pellets; tablets; vegetables;
algae.
SEX: Males are larger and far more colorful than the yellow-gray females.
Breeding techniques: Males are agamic and should be raised with several females.
When attempted to spawn this species,
remove all sub-dominant males and leave only the one dominant male.
Males are aggressive towards their mates,
so several retreats must be provided.
A small group of eggs is laid on a rock which are collected.
The
eggs are fertilized by the "dummy-egg" method.
The female mouthbroods the eggs for about three weeks, and does not
eat during this period.
The fry should be removed when they are released and fed on
Artemia, Daphnia, and crushed flakes.
Breeding potential: 7.
This species moderately difficult to breed, in part due to the male's aggressive tendencies.
Remarks: There are numerous undescribed
Haplochromis species that are available
in the hobby, which are known by their common name.
There are several variations of this species including the "Fire Belly
Zebra" form.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This hardy species thrives in well maintained water.
Males are aggressive and territorial.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
