i want to get a malwi eye biter but dont know much about them. could anybody tell some info on this fish.
for my 125
- Thread starter BigFish
- Start date
Hope this helps:
Common name Malawi Eye-biter
Scientific name Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Size Up to 10" (25cm)
Origin Lake Malawi, East Africa
Tank setup: A large tank (suggest 100 gallons plus if kept with other fish) with some rock caves and plenty of open swimming space. Plants such as Vallis can be added.
Compatibility: Predatory towards small fishes. Combine with other open-water Malawi species which are not too aggressive, such as Copadochromis and Aulonocara.
Temperature: 23-28oC (73-82oF)
Water chemistry: Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12
Feeding: Predator, feed a meaty diet.
Sexing: Males are much more colourful, females are mainly silver.
Breeding: The male may dig a shallow spawning pit and display to attract the female to it. A mouthbrooder, the female will incubate the eggs and fry for about 3 weeks. The male is likely to eat the fry once released. Feed fry on small frozen/live foods such as baby brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia.
pretty cool looking fish, good luck =)
Common name Malawi Eye-biter
Scientific name Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Size Up to 10" (25cm)
Origin Lake Malawi, East Africa
Tank setup: A large tank (suggest 100 gallons plus if kept with other fish) with some rock caves and plenty of open swimming space. Plants such as Vallis can be added.
Compatibility: Predatory towards small fishes. Combine with other open-water Malawi species which are not too aggressive, such as Copadochromis and Aulonocara.
Temperature: 23-28oC (73-82oF)
Water chemistry: Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12
Feeding: Predator, feed a meaty diet.
Sexing: Males are much more colourful, females are mainly silver.
Breeding: The male may dig a shallow spawning pit and display to attract the female to it. A mouthbrooder, the female will incubate the eggs and fry for about 3 weeks. The male is likely to eat the fry once released. Feed fry on small frozen/live foods such as baby brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia.
pretty cool looking fish, good luck =)
Compressiceps are very cool fish, one of my favorites. THe name "eye biter" is not accurate of these guys. They do not bite the eyes out of other fish. As malawian cichlids go, they are a little more peacfull than most the frequently encountered one's are. Do not feed them a "meaty" diet, espcially to juvaniles, they are bad about bloating up and dying. Feed little guys a good flake food that includes vegtable matter (spirulina). Do not feed little ones pellets either, I have lost them to bloat from pellets as well. Pellets are ok on bigger ones, like 4" or so and up.
I have some fully colored up males about 6" or so at the shop right now that are awesome!!! I'm thinking about keeping them for myself.
I have some fully colored up males about 6" or so at the shop right now that are awesome!!! I'm thinking about keeping them for myself.
Very nice fish, I've always wanted one. Check out fishcollectors.com, they have and albino for sale. Not cheap, but very rare.
i hate to do it but i disagree with you Compressiceps are predators and need a meaty diet it is a total myth that africans all get bloat from meat. Water quality IMO is the key unless your talkin tropheus which need a strict veg diet and other mbuna species.
They are definately predators, a veggie diet won't keep them in top condition. You could keep a small group in a 125 with other Malawi Haps, say 1m/3f.
Justin
Justin