Pindu cichlid
Stomatepia pindu
Also known as Pindu stomatepia
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 4.3 in
- 11 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon
Overview
The Pindu cichlid is a quiet cichlid for a species tank or a very calm Cameroon community. It is as much a conservation keep as a display fish, and it suits experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Pindu cichlid's name means black in Barombi.
Caring for the Pindu cichlid
Keep a group of four or more Pindu cichlids in at least 53 gal (200 L), with enough floor to spread out. They stay close to cover, so give them shaded areas, wood and dim lighting.
Hold the water stable at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. They feed mostly after dusk, so offer frozen and prepared meaty foods late in the day.
The Pindu cichlid is mostly peaceful, but choose its tank mates with caution. It is a mouthbrooder, and breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The Pindu cichlid, Stomatepia pindu, is sooty brown to near black, with a pale eye that stands out against it. It is one of three Stomatepia species that evolved inside Barombi Mbo, a textbook case of speciation within a single lake. All three are threatened.
In the wild
The Pindu cichlid is endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo, a small volcanic crater lake in Cameroon. It keeps to shaded margins and deeper water. The lake is warm, clear and moderately hard.
Common questions
What size tank does a Pindu cichlid need?
A Pindu cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Pindu cichlid need?
A Pindu cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a Pindu cichlid eat?
A Pindu cichlid eats frozen and prepared meaty foods. Feed it late in the day, since it feeds mostly after dusk.
How big does a Pindu cichlid get?
An adult Pindu cichlid reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).
How does a Pindu cichlid breed?
The Pindu cichlid is a mouthbrooder. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
Related species
5.5 in (14 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Nsess cichlid
Stomatepia mariae
5.5 in (14 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Blue-lipped buffalo head
Paragobiocichla irvinei
4.3 in (11 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)63 gal (240 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Konings' peacock
Aulonocara koningsi
4.3 in (11 cm) · 63 gal (240 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Konye cichlid
Konia eisentrauti
4.3 in (11 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)Meridionalis eartheater
Gymnogeophagus meridionalis
4.3 in (11 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)Purple earth eartheater
Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura
4.3 in (11 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)