Fuelleborn's cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

Fuelleborn's is an aggressive, territorial mbuna, so give it a 175 liter tank or larger with lots of rock to break up territories. It is a middle-water grazer that scrapes algae from rocks using a blunt, downturned mouth. Feed an algae-based or vegetable-heavy diet, since too much protein causes digestive trouble in mbuna, with cichlid pellets and the occasional small protein treat. Keep it with other robust Malawi cichlids, not timid fish.

In the wild

Fuelleborn's cichlid comes from the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi, often in spots with strong wave action. The water is hard, alkaline, and clear, and the fish spend their time grazing algae off the rocks. Recreate that with a rock-heavy tank, hard alkaline water, and pH from 7.5 to 8.5. Open swimming space between the rock piles helps, since these are active, pushy fish.

Good to know

This is a mbuna cichlid in the family Cichlidae, reaching about 18 cm. Males tend to be blue while females show more varied color, including orange and brown morphs. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with females holding eggs and fry in their mouths, and breeding is on the harder side. Wild populations are considered stable.

Did you know

That downturned, overbite mouth is the whole story behind the genus. It lets the fish work algae off rock at a steep angle that most cichlids cannot manage, so it can feed on surfaces its competitors struggle with. It is a clean example of how a small change in mouth shape opens up a feeding niche.

Related species

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• 

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• 

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