Threadfin cichlid
Petrochromis trewavasae
Also known as Threadfin Petrochromis, Trewavasae
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.6–8.6
- Adult size
- 7.1 in
- 18 cm
- Minimum tank
- 159 gal
- 600 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Overview
The threadfin cichlid is a large, aggressive cichlid for experienced Tanganyika keepers rather than beginners.
Did you know
The threadfin cichlid's lips are so densely lined with tiny, three-pointed teeth that it can shave algae off bare rock like a wire brush.
Caring for the threadfin cichlid
Give the threadfin cichlid a tank of at least 159 gal (600 L). Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.6 to 8.6.
Feed only vegetable-based foods such as spirulina flake. Like Tropheus, it has a specialized gut, and rich protein brings on bloat.
Keep a group of 12 to 15 or more to spread out its constant fighting, with several females for each male. Choose any tank mates with caution. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is hard.
Good to know
Petrochromis trewavasae, the threadfin cichlid, is a dedicated algae grazer, much like Tropheus. Its trailing fin filaments give it the threadfin name.
In the wild
The threadfin cichlid lives along the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It holds and defends feeding territories on the rock face.
Common questions
What size tank does a threadfin cichlid need?
A threadfin cichlid needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a threadfin cichlid need?
A threadfin cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.6–8.6.
What does a threadfin cichlid eat?
A threadfin cichlid eats only vegetable-based foods, such as spirulina flake. It has a specialized gut like Tropheus, and rich protein brings on bloat.
How big does a threadfin cichlid get?
An adult threadfin cichlid reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
How does a threadfin cichlid breed?
The threadfin cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding it is hard.
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