Description
Geographic Range: Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, particularly found in rocky habitats along the shoreline.
Diet:
Chindongo demasoni is primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae and plant matter in the wild.
In captivity, they should be fed a diet consisting mainly of high-quality pellets or flakes formulated for herbivorous cichlids. Supplement their diet with fresh vegetables like blanched spinach, zucchini, and spirulina flakes. Occasional protein-rich foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms can also be offered.
Average Adult Size:
Adult Chindongo demasoni typically reach sizes ranging from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters).
Minimum Tank Size:
Due to their small size and aggressive behavior, a minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for a small group of Chindongo demasoni.
Larger tanks with plenty of hiding spots and areas for establishing territories are preferred, especially for keeping multiple specimens.
Temperament:
Chindongo demasoni is known for its highly territorial and aggressive behavior, especially towards conspecifics and similarly colored fish.
They are best kept in a species-only tank or with other robust and similarly sized cichlids from Lake Malawi to minimize aggression and territorial disputes.
Recommended Water Parameters:
pH: 7.8-8.6
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.