Caudifasciatus parananochromis
Parananochromis caudifasciatus
Also known as Tail-bar dwarf cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Ntem and Ivindo basins, Cameroon and Gabon
Overview
The Caudifasciatus parananochromis is a bottom-dwelling West African dwarf cichlid for a dim, shaded tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Caudifasciatus parananochromis is named for the dark bar across the base of its tail fin, since caudifasciatus means banded tail. Its genus name, Parananochromis, means beside Nanochromis, so the name doubles as directions to its nearest relatives, the better-known Congo dwarfs.
Caring for the Caudifasciatus parananochromis
Keep a Caudifasciatus parananochromis singly or as a bonded male and female pair, not in a group. A pair needs at least 42 gal (160 L), with plenty of broken-up cover. Make the tank dim and well shaded, with a soft sandy floor covered in leaf litter and driftwood. Add caves or hollows for spawning.
Keep the water soft and slightly acidic, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. It works low in the tank among the litter, wood and shaded caves, looking for small invertebrates and scraps. Feed sinking foods along with frozen bloodworm and the occasional bit of vegetable matter.
It is fairly peaceful for a cichlid but claims a territory around its chosen cave. Choose tank mates with care, and give it calm company of a similar size that will not crowd the floor. It is a pair-forming cave spawner rather than a mouthbrooder, and breeding it is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The Caudifasciatus parananochromis belongs to the family Cichlidae, and Boulenger described the species in 1913. It remains an uncommon, forest-restricted fish that shows up only occasionally in the trade.
In the wild
The Caudifasciatus parananochromis lives in shaded rainforest streams and brooks of the Ntem and Ivindo basins in Cameroon and Gabon. The water there runs soft and warm, stained by fallen leaves.
Common questions
What size tank does a Caudifasciatus parananochromis need?
A Caudifasciatus parananochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Caudifasciatus parananochromis need?
A Caudifasciatus parananochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Caudifasciatus parananochromis eat?
A Caudifasciatus parananochromis looks for small invertebrates and scraps among the litter and wood. Feed it sinking foods along with frozen bloodworm and the occasional bit of vegetable matter.
How big does a Caudifasciatus parananochromis get?
An adult Caudifasciatus parananochromis reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a Caudifasciatus parananochromis breed?
A bonded Caudifasciatus parananochromis pair spawns in a cave or hollow rather than brooding in the mouth. Breeding it is moderately difficult.
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