TankBud

Fuelleborn's cichlid

Labeotropheus fuelleborni

Also known as Blue mbuna

FreshwaterFish

Fuelleborn's cichlid (Labeotropheus fuelleborni)
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
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
46 gal
175 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Own kind
One male per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

Fuelleborn's cichlid is an algae-grazing mbuna for a rock-heavy Malawi tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The downturned, overbite mouth of Fuelleborn's cichlid is the whole story behind its genus. It lets the fish work algae off rock at a steep angle that most cichlids cannot manage, reaching surfaces its competitors struggle with. It is a clean example of how a small change in mouth shape opens up a feeding niche.

Caring for the Fuelleborn's cichlid

Give a Fuelleborn's cichlid at least 46 gal (175 L), with lots of rock to break up territories. Leave open swimming space between the rock piles, since these are active, pushy fish. It is a middle-water grazer that scrapes algae from the rocks.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed an algae-based or vegetable-heavy diet with cichlid pellets and the occasional small protein treat. Too much protein causes digestive trouble in mbuna.

Fuelleborn's cichlid is aggressive and territorial, so keep it with other robust Malawi cichlids, not timid fish. Keep one male per tank.

Males tend to be blue, while females show more varied color, including orange and brown morphs. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is on the harder side.

Good to know

Fuelleborn's cichlid is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae, and its wild populations are considered stable.

In the wild

Fuelleborn's cichlid comes from the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi, often in spots with strong wave action. The water there is hard, alkaline and clear. The fish spend their time grazing algae off the rocks.

Common questions

What size tank does a Fuelleborn's cichlid need?

A Fuelleborn's cichlid needs at least 46 gal (175 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Fuelleborn's cichlid need?

A Fuelleborn's cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Fuelleborn's cichlid eat?

A Fuelleborn's cichlid eats an algae-based or vegetable-heavy diet with cichlid pellets and the occasional small protein treat. Too much protein causes it digestive trouble.

How big does a Fuelleborn's cichlid get?

An adult Fuelleborn's cichlid reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How can you tell a male Fuelleborn's cichlid from a female?

Males tend to be blue, while females show more varied color, including orange and brown morphs.

How does a Fuelleborn's cichlid breed?

Fuelleborn's cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is on the harder side.

Related species