Egyptian mouthbrooder
Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor
Also known as Dwarf Egyptian mouthbrooder, Egyptian mouthbreeder
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Slow rivers, swamps and pools across northeastern Africa including the Nile basin.
Overview
The Egyptian mouthbrooder is a small African cichlid that is peaceful enough for a mixed, planted tank. It makes a good first fish.
Did you know
The Egyptian mouthbrooder broods so readily that it has long been a favorite for teaching how mouthbrooding works. The female can be watched holding her fry.
Caring for the Egyptian mouthbrooder
Keep a male with a few females in a planted tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Males spar over territory during spawning, so provide caves and plants where the females can retreat.
Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, from neutral to slightly alkaline water. Feed small foods such as flake, micro pellets and frozen brine shrimp or daphnia.
Males flash gold, blue and red fins, while females stay plain. A male digs a small pit and displays in it to court passing females. The female then carries the eggs and fry in her throat pouch, and breeding is easy.
Good to know
The Egyptian mouthbrooder was one of the first mouthbrooding cichlids studied in detail. Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor belongs to the family Cichlidae and also goes by dwarf Egyptian mouthbrooder or Egyptian mouthbreeder.
In the wild
The Egyptian mouthbrooder is a widespread cichlid of slow and still waters across northeastern Africa, including the Nile system. It lives among plants and along soft bottoms in shallow water.
Common questions
What size tank does an Egyptian mouthbrooder need?
An Egyptian mouthbrooder needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Egyptian mouthbrooder need?
An Egyptian mouthbrooder is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does an Egyptian mouthbrooder eat?
An Egyptian mouthbrooder eats small foods such as flake, micro pellets and frozen brine shrimp or daphnia.
How big does an Egyptian mouthbrooder get?
An adult Egyptian mouthbrooder reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How can you tell a male Egyptian mouthbrooder from a female?
Males flash gold, blue and red fins, while females stay plain.
How does an Egyptian mouthbrooder breed?
Males dig a small pit and display in it to court passing females. The female then carries the eggs and fry in her throat pouch, and breeding is easy.
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