Longsnout parananochromis
Parananochromis longirostris
Also known as Longirostris dwarf cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 4.9 in
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Ivindo and Ogowe basins, Gabon
Overview
The longsnout parananochromis is a reserved African cichlid for the bottom of a dim, wood-filled tank. It is best kept by someone past the beginner stage.
Did you know
The longsnout parananochromis uses its long snout as a feeding tool. It pushes its pointed face into leaf litter and the gaps between roots to reach small invertebrates hiding underneath. Blunter-faced fish cannot easily follow it there.
Caring for the longsnout parananochromis
Give a pair of longsnout parananochromis a dark, shaded tank of at least 53 gal (200 L). Cover a sand floor with leaf litter, add plenty of driftwood and roots, and keep the light low.
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. Use gentle flow, and let tannins leach from the wood and leaves. They keep to the bottom, so feed small sinking and frozen foods they can pick from the substrate.
Longsnout parananochromis are kept as pairs rather than shoals. Let a pair form from a young group and house the two together. They are fairly peaceful, but a settled pair will hold territory, so pick calm tank mates and give everyone room.
The pair spawns in seclusion and guards the eggs and young. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The longsnout parananochromis is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae and one of the larger members of its genus. Its species name, longirostris, means long-snouted. Boulenger first described it in 1903, long before the genus Parananochromis was recognized.
In the wild
Parananochromis longirostris lives in deep forest streams of the Ivindo and Ogowe basins in Gabon, and in neighboring drainages. The water there runs soft and acidic, shaded by the canopy.
Common questions
What size tank does a longsnout parananochromis need?
A longsnout parananochromis needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a longsnout parananochromis need?
A longsnout parananochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a longsnout parananochromis eat?
A longsnout parananochromis eats small sinking and frozen foods that it can pick from the substrate.
How big does a longsnout parananochromis get?
An adult longsnout parananochromis reaches about 4.9 in (12.5 cm).
How does a longsnout parananochromis breed?
A longsnout parananochromis pair spawns in seclusion and guards the eggs and young. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
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