TankBud

Goldbelly naevochromis

Naevochromis chrysogaster

Also known as Haplochromis chrysogaster

FreshwaterFish

Goldbelly naevochromis (Naevochromis chrysogaster)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The goldbelly naevochromis is a large, predatory Malawi cichlid that keeps to the lower water. It is aggressive and suits a keeper who has kept cichlids before.

Did you know

The goldbelly naevochromis is a paedophage in the wild, a cichlid that feeds on the eggs and fry of others. It is thought to harass brooding females into releasing their young, which it then eats.

Caring for the goldbelly naevochromis

Give a goldbelly naevochromis a big tank of at least 119 gal (450 L). Build substantial rockwork into caves and territories, with stretches of open sand between them. It patrols the lower water among the rock and sand.

Match Lake Malawi's hard, alkaline water, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep this large fish in good condition. It readily takes quality cichlid pellets, plus frozen and meaty foods, with some variety.

Keep it singly or as one male with a few sturdy females, never crowded with rivals. It can be pushy, so keep it with robust haps of similar size that can take the pressure. Avoid small fish, which it will treat as food. Keep it away from mouthbrooding females whose broods you hope to raise.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female holding the eggs in her mouth. Its taste for the eggs and young of other cichlids makes it difficult to breed reliably.

Good to know

Naevochromis chrysogaster is the only species in its genus and a member of the family Cichlidae. The genus name comes from the Latin for a birthmark or blotch, for the dark markings on its body. The species name, chrysogaster, means golden bellied.

In the wild

The goldbelly naevochromis ranges over the rocky and intermediate zones of Lake Malawi, hunting among the stones.

Common questions

What size tank does a goldbelly naevochromis need?

A goldbelly naevochromis needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a goldbelly naevochromis need?

A goldbelly naevochromis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a goldbelly naevochromis eat?

A goldbelly naevochromis readily takes quality cichlid pellets, plus frozen and meaty foods with some variety. It treats small fish as food.

How big does a goldbelly naevochromis get?

An adult goldbelly naevochromis reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How does a goldbelly naevochromis breed?

The goldbelly naevochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder, so the female holds the eggs in her mouth. Its taste for the eggs and young of other cichlids makes it difficult to breed reliably.

Related species