Black and orange nyererei
Pundamilia igneopinnis
Also known as Haplochromis igneopinnis, Igombe nyererei
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
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Victoria, rocky islands
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is a colorful but aggressive rock cichlid from Lake Victoria. Males are territorial and hard on each other, so keep a single male, and if you want to breed it, give that male a group of several females in a large tank rather than a lone partner he can harass. It swims in the middle water among the rocks and needs visual cover to break up sight lines. Choose tankmates with caution: other robust Victorian or rift-lake cichlids of similar temperament, nothing timid. Feed a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus frozen foods, with some vegetable content. A tank of at least 200 liters with plenty of rockwork suits it.
In the wild
It lives around rocky islands in the southern part of Lake Victoria, holding territory among the stones. Recreate that with warm, mildly alkaline water of 23 to 27 C and a pH around 7.0 to 8.5. Build the tank around piled rock with caves and clear boundaries, over a sand floor, so males can set up and defend separate territories and females have places to retreat.
Good to know
A member of the cichlid family, it reaches around 13 cm. Its name igneopinnis means fire-finned, describing males that show a dark, near-black body set off by fiery orange and red fins. Like other haplochromines of the great lakes it is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female carrying the eggs and fry, and it is of moderate breeding difficulty.
Did you know
The name igneopinnis translates as fire-finned, and it captures the fish exactly: a coal-dark male trimmed with orange and red fins, as if outlined in embers against the rock.
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 do Black and orange nyererei need?
Black and orange nyererei are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.
How big do Black and orange nyererei get?
An adult Black and orange nyererei reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
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Cobalt blue cichlid
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Chindongo elongatusFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)