Rusty cichlid
Iodotropheus sprengerae
Also known as lavender cichild
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- 25–29°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The rusty cichlid is one of the calmer mbuna, the rock-dwelling cichlids of Lake Malawi. It is easy to keep, and one of the better starter mbuna.
Did you know
The rusty cichlid's color deepens from rust toward purple during active social moments.
Caring for the rusty cichlid
Give rusty cichlids at least 24 gal (90 L), with plenty of rockwork stacked into caves and passages. Leave open sand between the rock piles so they have room to forage. They sit in the middle and lower levels, working the rocks for food.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Their diet should lean heavily on algae and vegetable matter, with spirulina-based flake or pellets. Offer protein such as brine shrimp only now and then.
A rusty cichlid is peaceful and does fine alone or in a group. It still holds territory, so a group should have more females than males. Its mild temperament lets it mix with other peaceful Malawi cichlids that would get bullied among more aggressive species.
It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth until they are ready to swim free. Breeding is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The rusty cichlid is an mbuna in the family Cichlidae, also known as the lavender cichlid. Its color runs to a rusty brown with a lavender cast, rather than the bold patterns of many mbuna. Wild populations are currently considered stable.
In the wild
Rusty cichlids live along the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi in East Africa. They stick to shallow, rock-strewn zones, grazing algae off the stones and darting into crevices for cover. The lake water is hard and alkaline.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The rusty cichlid is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Common questions
What size tank does a rusty cichlid need?
A rusty cichlid needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a rusty cichlid need?
A rusty cichlid is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a rusty cichlid eat?
A rusty cichlid eats mostly algae and vegetable matter, such as spirulina-based flake or pellets. Give it protein like brine shrimp only now and then.
How big does a rusty cichlid get?
An adult rusty cichlid reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How does a rusty cichlid breed?
Rusty cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders. The female holds the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim free, and breeding is moderately difficult.
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