Description
Geographic Range: Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, particularly found in rocky habitats along the shoreline.
Diet:
Abactochromis labrosus is omnivorous, feeding primarily on small invertebrates, algae, and organic detritus in the wild.
In captivity, they should be fed a varied diet consisting of high-quality pellets or flakes designed for cichlids, supplemented with occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and vegetable matter like spirulina flakes or blanched spinach.
Average Adult Size:
Adult Abactochromis labrosus typically reach sizes ranging from 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), with males often being larger and more colorful than females.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for a small group of Abactochromis labrosus.
Larger tanks with plenty of hiding spots and rock formations to mimic their natural habitat are preferred, especially for keeping multiple males with females.
Temperament:
Abactochromis labrosus is relatively peaceful for a cichlid species from Lake Malawi, but they can exhibit territorial behavior, especially during breeding.
They can be kept with other similarly sized and temperamented African cichlids in a well-decorated tank with plenty of 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.