TankBud

Black and orange nyererei

Pundamilia igneopinnis

Also known as Haplochromis igneopinnis, Igombe nyererei

FreshwaterFish

Black and orange nyererei (Pundamilia igneopinnis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
7.0–8.5
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Victoria, rocky islands

Overview

The black and orange nyererei is a colorful but aggressive rock cichlid from Lake Victoria. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

A male black and orange nyererei is coal-dark, trimmed with orange and red fins as if outlined in embers against the rock.

Caring for the black and orange nyererei

Give a black and orange nyererei at least 53 gal (200 L), with plenty of piled rock and caves over a sand floor. Build in clear boundaries and visual cover to break up sight lines. That lets males defend separate territories and gives females places to retreat.

Keep the water warm and mildly alkaline, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. Feed a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus frozen foods, with some vegetable content.

Males are territorial and hard on each other, so keep a single male. It swims in the middle water among the rocks. Choose tank mates with caution, such as other robust Victorian or rift-lake cichlids of similar temperament, and nothing timid.

To breed it, give that male a group of several females in a large tank, rather than a lone partner he can harass. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The black and orange nyererei is a member of the cichlid family and one of the haplochromines of the great lakes. Its name igneopinnis means fire-finned.

In the wild

The black and orange nyererei lives around rocky islands in the southern part of Lake Victoria. It holds territory among the stones there.

Common questions

What size tank does a black and orange nyererei need?

A black and orange nyererei needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a black and orange nyererei need?

A black and orange nyererei is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a black and orange nyererei eat?

A black and orange nyererei eats a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus frozen foods. Include some vegetable content as well.

How big does a black and orange nyererei get?

An adult black and orange nyererei reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

How does a black and orange nyererei breed?

The black and orange nyererei is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry. Give one male several females in a large tank, and expect a moderate challenge.

Related species