Nsess cichlid
Stomatepia mariae
Also known as Mariae stomatepia
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 5.5 in
- 14 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon
Overview
The Nsess cichlid is a slim hunter from Cameroon that keeps to the lower part of the tank. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Nsess cichlid will even snatch prey from the freshwater crabs that share its lake.
Caring for the Nsess cichlid
Give a small group of Nsess cichlids at least 66 gal (250 L). Leave clear, open swimming room over a sand floor, with some structure at the edges rather than a maze of rock.
Keep the water warm, clear and moderately hard, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed meaty foods, both frozen and fresh, such as bloodworm, mysis and chopped seafood, along with quality pellets.
It works the lower water and open swimming lanes, and it is peaceful toward fish of its own size. It is a predator of small prey, though, so choose tank mates with care and keep nothing small enough to be eaten. It is a mouthbrooding cichlid, and breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The Nsess cichlid, Stomatepia mariae, belongs to a small flock of cichlids found nowhere else on Earth. The whole flock descends from a common ancestor trapped in its home crater lake. The Nsess cichlid is now listed as critically endangered, and the whole flock is under threat.
In the wild
The Nsess cichlid lives only in Lake Barombi Mbo, a small volcanic crater lake in western Cameroon. The flooded crater is barely a couple of kilometers across.
Common questions
What size tank does a Nsess cichlid need?
A Nsess cichlid needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Nsess cichlid need?
A Nsess cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a Nsess cichlid eat?
A Nsess cichlid eats meaty foods, frozen and fresh, such as bloodworm, mysis and chopped seafood. It also takes quality pellets.
How big does a Nsess cichlid get?
An adult Nsess cichlid reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).
How does a Nsess cichlid breed?
A Nsess cichlid is a mouthbrooder, and breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Related species
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