Roberts' limbochromis
Limbochromis robertsi
Also known as Robertsi dwarf cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 3.7 in
- 9.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Birim headwaters, Ghana
Overview
Roberts' limbochromis is a rare dwarf cichlid from Ghana, at home in a rocky, shaded tank with clean, flowing water. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
Roberts' limbochromis is running out of room. Gold mining and farming have muddied its few Ghanaian streams and cut its wild numbers sharply. The fish kept and bred by hobbyists are quietly becoming a backup population.
Caring for the Roberts' limbochromis
A pair of Roberts' limbochromis fits in at least 29 gal (110 L). Build a base of rounded stone and sand, then add more stone, driftwood and broken, shaded cover so the pair can settle. Keep the water well oxygenated with a steady flow.
Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), on the soft side of neutral, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Keep it clean and stable. It feeds low down on small invertebrates and detritus, so offer frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and a fine sinking food.
Keep a single fish or a bonded pair, which holds a small rock territory on the bottom. Pairs are mostly peaceful but defend a spawning site closely, so choose calm tank mates.
It spawns in a cave or crevice, and the pair guards the eggs and fry together. Breeding it is moderately difficult. Keepers who log and share their broods do real good for the species.
Good to know
Limbochromis robertsi is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae, and the only species in its genus. Its species name honors the ichthyologist Tyson Roberts, who collected the specimens it was described from. It is also called the robertsi dwarf cichlid.
In the wild
Roberts' limbochromis lives only in a handful of rocky forest streams in the headwaters of the Birim River. That river is part of the Pra basin, in Ghana's gold-mining country.
Common questions
What size tank does a Roberts' limbochromis need?
A Roberts' limbochromis needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Roberts' limbochromis need?
A Roberts' limbochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does a Roberts' limbochromis eat?
Roberts' limbochromis feeds low down on small invertebrates and detritus. Offer it frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and a fine sinking food.
How big does a Roberts' limbochromis get?
An adult Roberts' limbochromis reaches about 3.7 in (9.5 cm).
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