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Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis

Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus

Also known as Blackstripe pelmatochromis

FreshwaterFish

Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis (Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Congo basin margins

Overview

The Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis is a medium-small cichlid with easy manners for the lower part of a planted tank. It is a reasonable choice for a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Pelmatochromis was once a catch-all genus that held the kribs, the jewel cichlids and a long list of others. After decades of reclassification, only three species still keep the name, and the Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis is one of them.

Caring for the Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis

Give a pair of Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis at least 66 gal (250 L). Use a sand floor, driftwood, plants and cover to mark out territory, and add some gentle flow. Leave flat stones or wood where a pair can clean a surface and lay their eggs.

It does well in warm, soft to neutral water, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed a varied diet of pellets, flake and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Keep a pair rather than a group. A pair lives low in the tank and holds a modest territory without turning the whole aquarium into a battleground. It is peaceful overall, but choose tank mates with care while a pair is spawning and guarding fry.

Unlike the mouthbrooding cichlids it lives among, it is an open-substrate spawner. A pair lays its eggs on a cleaned surface, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus belongs to the cichlid family. It is marked with dark bars over a brassy body.

In the wild

The Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis lives along weedy river margins of the Congo basin. Its range extends into neighboring rivers of West-Central Africa.

Common questions

What size tank does a Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis need?

A Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis need?

A Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis eat?

A Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis eats a varied diet of pellets, flake and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp.

How big does a Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis get?

An adult Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

How does a Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis breed?

A Nigrofasciatus pelmatochromis pair lays its eggs on a cleaned surface in the open, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.

Related species