Rio Muni benitochromis
Benitochromis riomuniensis
Also known as Bidou mouthbrooder
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rio Muni basin, Equatorial Guinea
Overview
The Rio Muni benitochromis is a small, well-mannered West African cichlid for a shaded, soft-water tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Rio Muni benitochromis shares parenting in an unusual way. A pair sometimes passes its brood from one parent's mouth to the other's.
Caring for the Rio Muni benitochromis
A pair of Rio Muni benitochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L), planted and furnished with driftwood and shade. Use a dark substrate, and add floating cover to soften the light.
Keep the water soft and on the acidic side, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Give it gentle flow and clean, stable conditions. It works the lower tank, taking small invertebrates and some algae. Feed frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and a fine everyday food.
Keep a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. Pairs are peaceful by cichlid standards and mix calmly with other gentle, soft-water fish. They turn more defensive while brooding, so give them cover and choose quiet tank mates.
It is a biparental, ovophilous mouthbrooder. Both parents take the eggs into their mouths right after spawning and share the job of carrying the developing young. Breeding is moderately difficult.
Good to know
Benitochromis riomuniensis is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae, also known as the Bidou mouthbrooder. It takes its name from the Rio Muni district it comes from.
In the wild
The Rio Muni benitochromis lives in small forest streams of the Rio Muni region in Equatorial Guinea. The water there is soft, warm and shaded, over a bottom of sand and leaf litter.
Common questions
What size tank does a Rio Muni benitochromis need?
A Rio Muni benitochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Rio Muni benitochromis need?
A Rio Muni benitochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Rio Muni benitochromis eat?
A Rio Muni benitochromis takes small invertebrates and some algae. Feed it frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and a fine everyday food.
How big does a Rio Muni benitochromis get?
An adult Rio Muni benitochromis reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
How does a Rio Muni benitochromis breed?
Rio Muni benitochromis are mouthbrooders, and both parents carry the brood. They take the eggs into their mouths right after spawning and share the job of carrying the young. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Related species
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