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Wochepa melanochromis

Melanochromis wochepa

Also known as Dwarf melanochromis

FreshwaterFish

Wochepa melanochromis (Melanochromis wochepa)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi, southeastern arm

Overview

The Wochepa melanochromis is a small but feisty mbuna for a rocky Malawi tank. It sticks to the lower tank among the rocks, grazing and defending a patch of stone. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The name wochepa simply means small in Chichewa, the language spoken around Lake Malawi. It is a plain label for one of the tiniest fish in an otherwise sizable and pugnacious genus.

Caring for the Wochepa melanochromis

Give a group of Wochepa melanochromis a rocky tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), which gives them enough territories. Stack a lot of rock into caves and crevices over a sand base, and leave some open swimming lanes. Secure, plentiful rock cover lets females and weaker fish escape the male.

Keep the water warm and alkaline, with plenty of mineral hardness. Hold it at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed a spirulina-based diet with some frozen foods, since a vegetable-leaning menu keeps mbuna healthy.

Keep one male with several females, and expect typical Melanochromis attitude despite the small size. It is aggressive, so choose tank mates with care, such as other robust mbuna of similar temperament. Avoid slow or gentle fish, and crowd the rockwork to spread out the aggression.

Males are largely blue, while females carry darker horizontal banding. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Breeding is of moderate difficulty and happens readily when a settled male holds a territory.

Good to know

Melanochromis wochepa is a mbuna cichlid in the family Cichlidae.

In the wild

The Wochepa melanochromis lives along rocky shoreline in the southeastern arm of Lake Malawi, among piled stone. The lake's water is hard and alkaline.

Common questions

What size tank does a Wochepa melanochromis need?

A Wochepa melanochromis needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Wochepa melanochromis need?

A Wochepa melanochromis is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Wochepa melanochromis eat?

A Wochepa melanochromis eats a spirulina-based diet with some frozen foods. A vegetable-leaning menu keeps mbuna like it healthy.

How big does a Wochepa melanochromis get?

An adult Wochepa melanochromis reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How can you tell a male Wochepa melanochromis from a female?

Males are largely blue, while females carry darker horizontal banding.

How does a Wochepa melanochromis breed?

A Wochepa melanochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Breeding happens readily once a settled male holds a territory.

Related species