TankBud

Linke's mouthbrooder

Chromidotilapia linkei

Also known as Linkei chromidotilapia

FreshwaterFish

Linke's mouthbrooder (Chromidotilapia linkei)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.7 in
9.5 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Mungo and Wouri basins, Cameroon

Overview

Linke's mouthbrooder is a quiet West African dwarf cichlid for the bottom of a shaded, soft-water tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Linke's mouthbrooder shares its nursery, which is rare among cichlids. In most mouthbrooding cichlids the mother does the job alone, but in this species the father takes a turn as well.

Caring for the Linke's mouthbrooder

Give a pair of Linke's mouthbrooders at least 53 gal (200 L), with a soft sand floor, driftwood and leaf litter. Floating or rooted plants add some shade, and gentle conditions suit them.

Keep the water soft and warm, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Avoid the hard, alkaline water that their rift-lake cousins prefer. They keep to the bottom, sifting sand and picking at aufwuchs. Feed small sinking foods and frozen fare.

Linke's mouthbrooders live as bonded pairs rather than in groups. Buy a small batch of young fish, let a pair form, and house that pair together. They are mostly peaceful, but a breeding pair will defend a patch, so give tank mates room and choose them with care.

They are pair-bonding, biparental mouthbrooders. Both parents hold the eggs and fry in their mouths and can pass the brood between them. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Linke's mouthbrooder, Chromidotilapia linkei, belongs to the family Cichlidae. The species was named for the German aquarium author Horst Linke.

In the wild

Chromidotilapia linkei lives in sandy forest streams of the Mungo and Wouri systems in coastal Cameroon. These streams are shaded, gently flowing and soft.

Common questions

What size tank does a Linke's mouthbrooder need?

A Linke's mouthbrooder needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Linke's mouthbrooder need?

A Linke's mouthbrooder is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Linke's mouthbrooder eat?

A Linke's mouthbrooder eats small sinking foods and frozen fare. Along the bottom it also sifts sand and picks at aufwuchs.

How big does a Linke's mouthbrooder get?

An adult Linke's mouthbrooder reaches about 3.7 in (9.5 cm).

How does a Linke's mouthbrooder breed?

Linke's mouthbrooders breed as bonded pairs, and both parents carry the eggs and fry in their mouths, passing the brood back and forth. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species