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Clown labidochromis

Labidochromis chisumulae

Also known as Clown lab, Chisumulu labidochromis

FreshwaterFish

Clown labidochromis (Labidochromis chisumulae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi, Chizumulu Island

Overview

The clown labidochromis is one of the calmer mbuna, for a rocky Lake Malawi tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The clown labidochromis works the rock like a jeweler at a bench. Its genus name, Labidochromis, means forceps fish.

Caring for the clown labidochromis

Give the clown labidochromis at least 42 gal (160 L), with heavy rockwork and plenty of sight breaks. Stack the stone most of the way up the tank. Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.

It picks small invertebrates out of rock crevices with fine tweezer teeth, instead of grazing algae mats. Because of that, it does not carry the constant food-driven aggression of its neighbors. Feed a quality granule with frozen cyclops and brine shrimp.

Keep one male with three or more females. The clown labidochromis holds its own in an mbuna community without driving it.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and females hold for around three weeks before releasing the fry in a quiet corner. Breeding takes a little experience.

Good to know

The clown labidochromis belongs to the family Cichlidae. Males are white to pale blue, with dark vertical barring and a cobalt wash over the head. That makes it the dressiest member of a genus best known for the plain yellow Labidochromis caeruleus.

In the wild

The clown labidochromis is endemic to Chizumulu Island in Lake Malawi. It works the sediment-free rock of the intermediate zone. The lake is hard, alkaline and very stable.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The clown labidochromis is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a clown labidochromis need?

A clown labidochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a clown labidochromis need?

A clown labidochromis is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a clown labidochromis eat?

A clown labidochromis eats a quality granule with frozen cyclops and brine shrimp. It picks small invertebrates out of rock crevices instead of grazing algae mats.

How big does a clown labidochromis get?

An adult clown labidochromis reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a clown labidochromis breed?

A clown labidochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder. Females hold for around three weeks before releasing the fry in a quiet corner. Breeding takes a little experience.

Related species