It can withstand salinity levels as high as 10% of the normal saltwater tank.Įven though Livingstonii Cichlids thrive best in both freshwater and brackish water, they also need a good flow of water. This fish species can easily tolerate salt, meaning that you can keep them in slightly brackish tank water conditions. Salt will also increase carbonate hardness within the aquarium environment. You may use salt as your buffering agent in the tank water to boost the alkalinity. Most Livingstonii Cichlids require hard alkaline water although brackish water is not part of their wild habitat. So you can realize the importance of comparing water conditions in the Livingstonii Cichlids natural habitat and the tank parameters. When combined with evaporation, these minerals form alkaline water that’s highly mineralized.ĭespite all that, water in Lake Malawi remains clear and stable in terms of pH and other chemicals. Malawi are usually high in mineral content. To achieve this feat, you must know the conditions under which the fish survives in the wild.įor example, the streams flowing into L. That is the reason you need to set the right parameters in their aquarium. The Livingstonii Cichlids will not survive long in poor water conditions. You can place coral sand or Aragonite into mesh bags and keep them inside the tank’s external filter system. However, Livingstonii Cichlid prefers darker substrate in order to feel safer and display their colors better. This type of substrate is highly recommended to keep tank water hard or alkaline. The best substrate to use in this particular tank is coral sand or Aragonite. The same structures should keep the rocks at the tank bottom stable throughout. When constructing them ensure that you create as many crevices as possible for your pet fish to explore its living space. These structures can stretch from the bottom of the aquarium to the water surface. Decor such as ocean rocks is a good choice for building sturdy structures within the tank. Make sure that the tank is well decorated to mimic the natural habitat where Livingstonii Cichlids thrive. You can also leave open expanses for a certain amount of sand and a few rocky areas. The same tank must be at least 6 feet in length and well aquascaped. Their ideal tank size should be at least 125 gallons for adults and 70 gallons for young ones. Make sure to set the tank requirements that replicate their habitat in the wild. If you want to keep livingstonii cichlids, there are a couple things to consider such as tank size, decoration and substrate Tank Size It is widespread and can be found in depths of more than 300 feet. This explains why the species is endemic to Lake Malombe, Lake Malawi, and the upper Shire. The fish thrives well in muddy bottoms and purely rocky environments. But they mainly occupy vegetated regions of the sheltered bays and shallow lakes. Livingstonii Cichlids are found in different kinds of habits. The male Livisngstonii Cichlid grows bigger than their females, but this is not always the case when the female is about to reproduce. The female, however, retains her usual plain, spotted coloration. But the female retains her short, well-rounded fins.Ī mature male develops a light blue tint at the forehead. The male has an elongated anal and dorsal fin. When it comes to dimorphism, male Livinstonii Cichlids differ from females in many different ways. Its impressive size, behavior, and attractive color patterns make it a must-have aquarium fish among hobbyists. The fish can grow to about 10 inches (almost 25 centimeters) in length. Thus it allows it to swim safely among aquatic plants while preying on smaller fish undetected. This feature creates an excellent camouflage to help the fish blend perfectly with its natural habitat. Its distinctive color pattern forms contrast against prominent dark blotches, particularly on a silver, bluish or yellow background.įour dark lines radiate outward from a star-like pattern in its eye. As the prey (smaller fish) gets closer, the Livingstonii Cichlid gets into action immediately to devour it.īesides its unusual ambush-style hunting technique, the Livingstonii Cichlid has a spotted coloration. It plays dead to draw the attention of potential prey. This fish species has a unique hunting behavior. It is a piscivorous Haplochromis, native to Lake Malawi in the Great Rift Valley region. The Livingstonii Cichlid is also known as Nimbochromis livingstonii, Livingston’s Cichlid, or Livingston’s Hap. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission.
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