Fuelleborn's cichlid
Labeotropheus fuelleborni
Also known as Blue mbuna
FreshwaterFish
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
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
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.
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.
How big does a Fuelleborn's cichlid get?
An adult Fuelleborn's cichlid reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
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