Red-nosed Madagascar cichlid
Paretroplus kieneri
Also known as Kotsovato, Kieneri, Damba
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 6.3 in
- 16 cm
- Minimum tank
- 74 gal
- 280 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lakes, rivers and floodplains of northwestern Madagascar.
Overview
The red-nosed Madagascar cichlid is a deep-bodied cichlid for a roomy tank of calm fish. It is a good fish for a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
The red-nosed Madagascar cichlid has many relatives that are close to extinction in the wild. Keeping and breeding Madagascan cichlids like this one helps guard against losing them entirely.
Caring for the red-nosed Madagascar cichlid
Keep a group of red-nosed Madagascar cichlids in a tank of at least 74 gal (280 L). Give them open water, some rock and a firm bottom. Keep the water neutral to slightly alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0.
Feed a mixed diet with vegetable foods, pellets and frozen invertebrates. The red-nosed Madagascar cichlid is fairly peaceful for a medium-sized cichlid. It does best with its own kind or other calm species, but choose its tank mates with some caution.
It is a biparental substrate spawner, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The red-nosed Madagascar cichlid, Paretroplus kieneri, is one of the smaller and hardier members of its genus. It often shows a reddish flush on the snout and fins. Madagascar's cichlids are an ancient group, more closely related to Indian cichlids than to the African lake fishes.
In the wild
The red-nosed Madagascar cichlid comes from lakes, rivers and seasonal floodplains in northwestern Madagascar. In the wild it feeds on plant matter, algae and small invertebrates, including snails.
Common questions
What size tank does a red-nosed Madagascar cichlid need?
A red-nosed Madagascar cichlid needs at least 74 gal (280 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a red-nosed Madagascar cichlid need?
A red-nosed Madagascar cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a red-nosed Madagascar cichlid eat?
A red-nosed Madagascar cichlid eats a mixed diet of vegetable foods, pellets and frozen invertebrates.
How big does a red-nosed Madagascar cichlid get?
An adult red-nosed Madagascar cichlid reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).
How does a red-nosed Madagascar cichlid breed?
Red-nosed Madagascar cichlids are biparental substrate spawners, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.
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