Description
Geographic Range: Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, particularly found in rocky habitats along the shoreline.
Diet:
Champsochromis spilorhynchus is primarily piscivorous, meaning they mainly feed on other fish in the wild.
In captivity, they should be fed a diet consisting of high-quality pellets or flakes designed for carnivorous cichlids. They can also be offered live or frozen foods such as shrimp, krill, and other meaty foods.
Average Adult Size:
Adult Champsochromis spilorhynchus typically reach sizes ranging from 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters), with males often being larger and more colorful than females.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum tank size of 100 gallons is recommended for a single Champsochromis spilorhynchus.
Larger tanks with plenty of swimming space and hiding spots are preferred, especially for keeping multiple specimens or for providing territories.
Temperament:
Champsochromis spilorhynchus is relatively peaceful compared to many other Lake Malawi cichlids, but they can still be territorial, especially towards conspecifics and smaller tankmates.
They are best kept with other large, peaceful cichlids in a species-only tank or in a large Lake Malawi biotope setup with ample hiding spots and territories.
Recommended Water Parameters:
pH: 7.5-8.5
Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C)
Hardness: Lake Malawi cichlids prefer hard water with a dH range of 10-20.
Ammonia: Should be maintained at zero ppm (parts per million).
Nitrite: Should be maintained at zero ppm.
Nitrate: Keep nitrate levels below 20 ppm through regular water changes and efficient filtration.