Guenther's mouthbrooder
Chromidotilapia guentheri
Also known as Chromidotilapia guntheri
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- West Africa
Overview
Guenther's mouthbrooder is a West African cichlid that swims in the middle of the tank. It is mostly peaceful and best with a little cichlid experience.
Did you know
A Guenther's mouthbrooder pair can pass a clutch of eggs and fry back and forth, taking turns holding them. That way, neither fish has to go too long without eating during the brooding period. Sharing the mouthbrooding between both parents is rare among cichlids.
Caring for the Guenther's mouthbrooder
Give a pair of Guenther's mouthbrooders at least 30 gal (115 L), since a bigger tank keeps the peace. Use soft sandy substrate, driftwood, caves and plenty of hiding places to break up sight lines. They work the middle and lower levels and like territory to defend.
Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed a varied diet of quality pellets and flake, plus frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
They are mostly peaceful and do best as a bonded pair. They can share a tank with other calm, sturdy fish.
They are biparental mouthbrooders, with both parents carrying the eggs and fry in their mouths for protection. That habit makes breeding them hard, a real project.
Good to know
Chromidotilapia guentheri is a member of the family Cichlidae. Its wild populations are widespread.
In the wild
Guenther's mouthbrooder comes from slow rivers, streams and lakes in West Africa, including Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. It favors shallow water over sand or mud, with plants and submerged roots for cover. The water there is warm and runs from slightly acidic to neutral.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Guenther's mouthbrooder is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Boeseman's rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 29 gal (108 L)81–86°F (27–30°C)
Red lizard whiptail
Rineloricaria lanceolata
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Firemouth cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Guenther's mouthbrooder need?
A Guenther's mouthbrooder needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Guenther's mouthbrooder need?
A Guenther's mouthbrooder is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a Guenther's mouthbrooder eat?
A Guenther's mouthbrooder eats a varied diet of quality pellets and flake. Add frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
How big does a Guenther's mouthbrooder get?
An adult Guenther's mouthbrooder reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
How does a Guenther's mouthbrooder breed?
Guenther's mouthbrooders breed with both parents carrying the eggs and fry in their mouths for protection. That makes breeding them hard, a real project.
Related species
3.7 in (9.5 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Linke's mouthbrooder
Chromidotilapia linkei
3.7 in (9.5 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
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5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)Azureus
Copadichromis azureus
5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Congicus pterochromis
Pterochromis congicus
5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Deepwater coptodon
Coptodon bythobates
5.9 in (15 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)