These Cichlid is a newer arrival as a recognized
species. It was scientifically described as recently as 1979 by Bowers and
Stauffer in 1997. It is endemic to Lake Malawi, Africa ,
but is found in a very limited area. It occurs only at Likoma
Island situated the halfway point of
the lake, but on the eastern side close Mozambique .
It belongs to a group of cichlids called
Mbunas. There are 13 genera full of very active and aggressive personalities of
Mbuna cichlids. The name Mbuna comes from the Tonga
people of Malawi
and means "rockfish" or "rock-dwelling". This name aptly
describes the rocky environment these fish live in as opposed to being open
water swimmers like the Utaka cichlids and other "haps" . Some other
common names this fish is known by are Melanochromis Maingano, Maingano
Cichlid, and Mangano Fish or Mangano Cichlid.
This fish is not as aggressive as other Melanochromis species, but is a typical Mbuna
in size and shape. It has an elongated body and rounded snout along with a
continuous dorsal fin. It will only reach about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length in
the wild but is a bit larger in the aquarium, reaching just under 4 inches (10
cm).
Tank Setup :
While not the easiest
fish to keep provided clean water and proper ratios, maingano should thrive in
an mbuna only aquarium. They should be kept in a large community aquarium with
other Mbuna type fish such as many Psuedotropheus species, Labidochromis
caeruleus, and Iodotropheus sprengerae. The minimum length of the tank should
be three feet though four works much better as this fish is more aggressive and
territorial than many other mbuna. The aquarium should try to mimic the
environment where they are from in nature. This should include extensive
rockwork with caves and other hiding places which will allow the fish to
develop territories. Sometimes plants can work with this species, though it is
not uncommon for them to dig them up as they enjoy digging in the substrate. As
noted from the stats above these fish prefer a hard alkaline water with a
fairly high pH. If your water is soft or a lower pH, you can use crushed coral
as a substrate or place it in your filters as a media/buffer. These fish are
voracious eaters and will readily accept flake or pellet food. The food should
be high in plant matter with occasional treats of live food. Because they are
susceptible to a condition called Malawi Bloat, it is best to feed them
smaller, more frequent meals, rather than occasional large ones.
Acceptable Water Conditions:
Hardness: 6 - 10° dH
Ph: 7.7 - 8.6
Temp: 73 - 82° F (23 -28° C).
Breeding: These
Cichlid is a Mouthbrooding
egg-layer. May hybridize with other Mbuna. The
Maingano is polygamous in nature with a male attending several females, and
they form a matriarchal family. This cichlid has been bred in captivity and like
other Mbunas, will spawn in the male's territory. When spawning the male
changes his color, it becomes an intense exaggeration of his original coloring
that almost looks like a double exposed picture.
The females lay 10 to
60 eggs and then immediately take them into their mouths before they are
fertilized. She then stimulates the male to discharge sperm (milt cloud) by
mouthing his vent or eggspots on his anal fin. She inhales of cloud of
"milt" which then fertilize the eggs in her mouth. In 21 days at
about 82° F, the eggs are developed.
The released fry can eat finely powdered dry foods and brine shrimp nauplii.
The female will guard
her young for a few days, even taking them into her mouth if there is a
perceived threat. As long as you have plenty of hiding places, the young will
have an easier time surviving until they are too big to eat. Maingano young
start to show their colors within a few weeks and are ready to breed at
1.5"
Credits :
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cichlid/Maingano.php
http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Live-Freshwater-Fish-African-Cichlid-Lake-Malawi/I/Maingano-Cichlid.aspx
http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile163.html
http://www.secondnatureaquariums.com.au/fish-profiles/african-cichlids/mbuna/melanochromis-cyaneorhabdos-maingano-cichlid
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