TankBud

Ufermann's benitochromis

Benitochromis ufermanni

Also known as Ufermanni mouthbrooder

FreshwaterFish

Ufermann's benitochromis (Benitochromis ufermanni)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Southwest Cameroon streams

Overview

Ufermann's benitochromis is a mostly peaceful West African cichlid for a shaded, soft-water tank. It is a step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

Ufermann's benitochromis is named for Alfred Ufermann, a German aquarist. He first drew its describer, Anton Lamboj, into the study of West and Central African cichlids. A hobbyist's enthusiasm is written into the fish's name.

Caring for the Ufermann's benitochromis

A single bonded pair of Ufermann's benitochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L), which leaves room for a few gentle companions. Give the pair a soft floor, driftwood, leaf litter and some caves or broad surfaces, under dim light. It spends its time low in the shaded tank.

Hold the water soft and warm, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Use gentle filtration and keep conditions clean and low in waste. Feed small frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus fine sinking dried foods.

It mixes well with small, calm West African fish. Choose its tank mates with some care, though, since a breeding pair holds a territory.

It is a pair-bonding mouthbrooder in which both parents can carry the brood, an unusual shared form of mouthbrooding. The eggs are laid and fertilized, then taken up and brooded in the mouth. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Benitochromis ufermanni is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae. Anton Lamboj described it in 2001.

In the wild

Ufermann's benitochromis lives in small forest rivers and creeks of southwest Cameroon, around the Korup forest. The water there is soft, warm and tea-stained, under heavy shade.

Common questions

What size tank does an Ufermann's benitochromis need?

An Ufermann's benitochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Ufermann's benitochromis need?

An Ufermann's benitochromis is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does an Ufermann's benitochromis eat?

Ufermann's benitochromis eats small frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. Add fine sinking dried foods as well.

How big does an Ufermann's benitochromis get?

An adult Ufermann's benitochromis reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

How does an Ufermann's benitochromis breed?

Ufermann's benitochromis is a pair-bonding mouthbrooder, and both parents can carry the brood. The eggs are laid and fertilized, then taken up and brooded in the mouth. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

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