Deepwater melanochromis
Melanochromis heterochromis
Also known as Heterochromis mbuna
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The deepwater melanochromis is a rock-dwelling mbuna for a well-structured rock tank with hard water. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
Most Melanochromis are known for crisp horizontal stripes, which even swap light for dark between the sexes. The deepwater melanochromis breaks that mold.
Caring for the deepwater melanochromis
Keep deepwater melanochromis as a group of one male with several females, in at least 66 gal (250 L). Build the tank around plenty of piled rock over sand, forming caves, passages and grazing surfaces. The rockwork gives it both its food and the territory it needs.
Keep the water hard, alkaline, stable and mineral-rich, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. It works the lower water among the stones, grazing and foraging. Feed a mainly vegetable diet with some frozen food.
It has the scrappy temperament mbuna are known for and is aggressive with rivals. Keep the tank fully populated so aggression is spread out rather than aimed at one fish. Choose robust, similarly bold tank mates with care.
Like other mbuna, it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth for several weeks, then releases them to fend for themselves. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The deepwater melanochromis, Melanochromis heterochromis, is a mbuna cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Its species name means differently colored, chosen because it does not look like the rest of its genus.
In the wild
The deepwater melanochromis is endemic to Lake Malawi, where it lives among the rocks of the lake's stony shores. Malawi is a hard, alkaline rift lake.
Common questions
What size tank does a deepwater melanochromis need?
A deepwater melanochromis needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a deepwater melanochromis need?
A deepwater melanochromis is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a deepwater melanochromis eat?
A deepwater melanochromis grazes and forages among the stones. Feed it a mainly vegetable diet with some frozen food.
How big does a deepwater melanochromis get?
An adult deepwater melanochromis reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a deepwater melanochromis breed?
The deepwater melanochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth for several weeks, then releases them to fend for themselves.
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Kaskazini mbuna
Melanochromis kaskazini
5.1 in (13 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Blotch melanochromis
Melanochromis baliodigma
4.3 in (11 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Loria's melanochromis
Melanochromis loriae
5.5 in (14 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Wochepa melanochromis
Melanochromis wochepa
3.1 in (8 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Chipokee cichlid
Melanochromis chipokae
4.7 in (12 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Johanni cichlid
Melanochromis johannii
4.7 in (12 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)