Schwetzi cichlid
Cyclopharynx schwetzi
Also known as Fwa mouthbrooder
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Fwa, Congo
Overview
The Schwetzi cichlid is a rarely seen, modestly sized cichlid for a group tank of sand and stone. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
The Schwetzi cichlid's home, the little Fwa system, is an evolutionary island. It holds a handful of cichlids found nowhere else on Earth, including both species of the genus Cyclopharynx. That makes it a miniature radiation packed into one clear-water pocket of the Congo basin.
Caring for the Schwetzi cichlid
Keep Schwetzi cichlids as a small group in at least 53 gal (200 L). Give them open sand mixed with smooth, rounded rock. They stay low, over the sand and stone.
Keep the water clean and clear, neutral to slightly alkaline and moderately hard. Hold it at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2, with gentle, steady filtration. Schwetzi cichlids graze algae and pick at the substrate, so feed a vegetable-leaning diet with small frozen foods.
The Schwetzi cichlid is fairly peaceful for a cichlid, but choose tank mates carefully. Lean toward a species group or a few calm, similar fish. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The Schwetzi cichlid, Cyclopharynx schwetzi, belongs to the family Cichlidae and is also called the Fwa mouthbrooder. It feeds mainly on algae and diatoms scraped from hard surfaces.
In the wild
The Schwetzi cichlid is endemic to Lake Fwa and the spring-fed Fwa waters in the Kasai drainage of the middle Congo basin. These waters form a clear karst habitat.
Common questions
What size tank does a Schwetzi cichlid need?
A Schwetzi cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Schwetzi cichlid need?
A Schwetzi cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
What does a Schwetzi cichlid eat?
A Schwetzi cichlid grazes algae and picks at the substrate. Feed it a vegetable-leaning diet with small frozen foods.
How big does a Schwetzi cichlid get?
An adult Schwetzi cichlid reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How does a Schwetzi cichlid breed?
The Schwetzi cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, so the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
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