TankBud

Yellow buccochromis

Buccochromis rhoadesii

Also known as Rhoadesii hap, Yellow lepturus

FreshwaterFish

Yellow buccochromis (Buccochromis rhoadesii)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
13.4 in
34 cm
Minimum tank
185 gal
700 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The yellow buccochromis is a large-fish keeper's cichlid from Lake Malawi that swims in the middle of the tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Young yellow buccochromis ambush their prey from inside schools of utaka, which they resemble. Their yellow color arrives only later.

Caring for the yellow buccochromis

Give the yellow buccochromis a tank of at least 185 gal (700 L), sized for an adult from the start. Its growth is steady rather than fast. That makes it easy to underestimate how much tank an adult needs until you already have one.

It hunts by pursuit over sand, so length matters more than decor, and it will use every centimeter it is given. Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.

Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods on a schedule. It is aggressive and solitary, and any tank mates need to be its own size.

Mature males take on a deep yellow to gold body, with blue through the head and unpaired fins. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding is hard and rarely attempted, simply because of the volume of water an adult pair requires.

Good to know

Buccochromis rhoadesii is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae and the largest member of its genus.

In the wild

Buccochromis rhoadesii hunts the sandy shallows of Lake Malawi, chasing down small fish in open water.

Common questions

What size tank does a yellow buccochromis need?

A yellow buccochromis needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a yellow buccochromis need?

A yellow buccochromis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a yellow buccochromis eat?

A yellow buccochromis eats prepared and frozen meaty foods, fed on a schedule.

How big does a yellow buccochromis get?

An adult yellow buccochromis reaches about 13.4 in (34 cm).

How can you tell a male yellow buccochromis from a female?

Mature males take on a deep yellow to gold body, with blue through the head and unpaired fins.

How does a yellow buccochromis breed?

A yellow buccochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding is hard and rarely attempted, simply because of the volume of water an adult pair requires.

Related species