Ventralis featherfin cichlid
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis
Also known as Featherfin cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 61 gal
- 230 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
Overview
The Ventralis featherfin cichlid is an aggressive Tanganyikan cichlid for the middle of a large, sandy tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
In the Ventralis featherfin cichlid, the yellow tips on the male's fins are egg dummies. During spawning, the female tries to gather these fake eggs into her mouth, and the male releases sperm as she does. That fertilizes the real eggs she is already holding, a trick that keeps fertilization tight even in open water.
Caring for the Ventralis featherfin cichlid
Give the Ventralis featherfin cichlid a big tank of at least 61 gal (230 L). Lay a sand bottom with scattered rock, leaving open sand for nest building.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Stable water chemistry matters with Tanganyikans. In the wild they graze on small invertebrates and plankton, so feed quality cichlid pellets plus frozen brine shrimp and daphnia.
It is aggressive and territorial, especially at breeding time, and males defend their nests hard. Keep one male per tank with several females to spread out his attention. Choose tank mates carefully.
It shows strong sexual dimorphism. Breeding males turn bright, with long, flowing ventral fins tipped with yellow tabs, while females stay plain. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The Ventralis featherfin cichlid, Ophthalmotilapia ventralis, is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae. It is not considered endangered, though habitat change and collection can affect local populations.
In the wild
Ventralis featherfin cichlids live along the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. They keep to sandy patches between rocks, at depths of roughly 5 to 30 meters. Males clear sand and build nests there. The lake water is hard and very alkaline.
Common questions
What size tank does a Ventralis featherfin cichlid need?
A Ventralis featherfin cichlid needs at least 61 gal (230 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Ventralis featherfin cichlid need?
A Ventralis featherfin cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
What does a Ventralis featherfin cichlid eat?
A Ventralis featherfin cichlid eats quality cichlid pellets plus frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. In the wild it grazes on small invertebrates and plankton.
How big does a Ventralis featherfin cichlid get?
An adult Ventralis featherfin cichlid reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
How can you tell a male Ventralis featherfin cichlid from a female?
Breeding males turn bright, with long, flowing ventral fins tipped with yellow tabs. Females stay plain.
How does a Ventralis featherfin cichlid breed?
The Ventralis featherfin cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend their nests at breeding time, and breeding them is hard.
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