LIVEBEARERS T Phallichthys tico - - a dainty new ... - Aqualog

Aqualognews NUMBER 94 25
employed by preference until the matter
is clarified by science.
Interesting behavior
Placidochromis cf. phenochilus “Tanzania"
is one of the most peaceful Malawi
cichlids. It grows to about 17 cm long (in
males, females remain smaller). In the wild
it earns its living as a “follower”, in other
words it swims in the wake of larger,
bottom-churning cichlids such as
Fossorochromis and Taeniolethrinops and
snaps up any small organisms and other
food particles stirred up and ignored by
Halfgrown female. Photo: F. Schäfer Adult male. Photo: E. Schraml
the big fellows. Because this behavior
doesn’t allow for territoriality, they are
able to get on peacefully with
conspecifics and fishes of other species.
Special characteristics
One of the peculiarities of the
"Phenochilus Tanzania" is that from the
age of 1-2 years the males begin to
develop white scales in their coloration.
They attain adulthood at the age of
around 4 years and their coloration
remains static thereafter. Like Cyrtocara
moorii, the Malawi Blue Dolphin Cichlid,
full-grown males of Placidochromis cf.
phenochilus “Tanzania" develop a nuchal
hump, though it is nothing like as
imposing by a long chalk.
Tankmates
Even as juveniles, members of this species
are exceptionally beautifully colored, as
can be seen from the photos. Because of
their peaceful temperament these fishes
should not be kept with aggressive
mbuna. Other utaka or Aulonocara species
are appropriate companion fishes. It is
particularly interesting to keep them
together with the big diggers, ie
Fossorochromis or Taeniolethrinops. This
Ulm aquarium hobby event
30th October to 1st November 2010
Highlights:
Freshwater and marine aquarium hobby,
reef aquaria, nano – the new trend.
ULM.The preparations for the special new
exhibition are in full swing.
An ideal opportunity for enthusiastic
aquarists, whether beginner or
professional, to obtain information and
make purchases.
The wide range of products and retail
goods at this specialist exhibition will be
complemented by an informative lecture
program. Hobby breeders will be selling
their tank-breds at the fish auction. A
splendid opportunity to swap knowledge
and experiences with like-minded people
and gain new inspiration.
requires a large aquarium with an
expanse of sand as décor. But these
splendid fishes are certainly worth the
effort involved, and observing such a
community is something else!