2 kinds · tap one for a closer look
Mild for an mbuna, but still territorial.
67 species in our list are a good match.
Mild for an mbuna, but still territorial. Fine with other peaceful mbuna such as acei and yellow labs.
Quality spirulina-based cichlid pellets and flake once or twice a day; keep protein low and add vegetable matter such as spirulina and blanched greens.
Tap a food to see what it is.
Sexes look similar; males usually have more egg spots on the anal fin, tend to be larger and more colourful, and some develop an elongated anal fin.
Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Maternal mouthbrooder (harem) · Moderate
Maternal mouthbrooder with one male to several females; the female carries the eggs for up to 3 weeks.
Keep one male with 3-5 females; a lone female is harassed to exhaustion and two males will fight.
150-250 L rockwork tank with many caves, hard alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.6) and strong filtration. Keep a bare 60 L tank handy to move a holding female.
Stable warm water (26-28 C), regular water changes and a good male-to-female ratio; the male displays and leads a female to a flat rock or cave.
5-60 eggs per brood, carried for up to 3 weeks.
The female releases free-swimming fry after 3-4 weeks. Feed finely crushed flake, spirulina powder and newly hatched brine shrimp from day one; do small daily water changes. Remove the female after release so she can recover.
One of the least aggressive and smallest mbuna, and a great first mbuna for newcomers.
Oliver and Loiselle described the rusty cichlid in 1972 as the only member of its genus. It is known from a few small islands in the south-east of Lake Malawi. Its gentle temperament made it a popular choice for mixed mbuna tanks.
First described by Michael K. Oliver & Paul V. Loiselle in 1972.
15 facts checked with sources
Also called lavender mbuna. Seriously Fish: 'It is sometimes confused with certain populations of Labidochromis vellicans' (told apart by its rounder head and no blue on the rear half of the body).
FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeNew value (legacy had none).
FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeBoth are standard length (SL).
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae · FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeSeriously Fish (preferred for husbandry) gives 25-29 °C; FishBase 24-26 °C. Legacy 24-28 overlaps both; small shift.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae · FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeLegacy range lies within Seriously Fish's 7.5-8.8.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengeraeNew value (legacy had none).
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae90 x 30 x 30 cm = 81 L for one male and a few females. For more than one male Seriously Fish advises at least 48 in (122 cm) length: 'A 48" aquarium is a good size for 2-3 males and perhaps a dozen females.' Legacy 150 L is a generous figure for a mixed mbuna tank.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengeraeSource gives one male with several females (no exact number); legacy 6 fits.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengeraeMild for an mbuna and easily outcompeted by boisterous species: 'tankmates should be chosen wisely.'
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengeraeSeriously Fish's overall difficulty rating is 'Moderate', but its text recommends it for newcomers to mbuna.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengeraeNew value (legacy had none). IUCN status Near Threatened (FishBase, assessed 2018) because of its very small range.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae · FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeBrooding time up to 3 weeks vs legacy 3-4 weeks. Can mature at about 1.5 in (Seriously Fish).
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae · FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengeraeWider brood range than legacy 10-30 and shorter brooding.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae'Hardy' is not supported: Seriously Fish lists hardiness as unknown and says water quality is paramount.
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae