African Cichlid

I saw this cichlid at the LFS and wondered what it was. It was labeled as Mixed African Cichlid. I really like it and would like to buy some if I knew what it was so I could do some research.

Any Ideas?

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
A.K.A. Maingano

Anyone have experience? Are they breeders? Easy to keep? Special Parameters?

Check your PM

Never kept them. Herd they were simi aggressive.

I keep these; I have a breeding trio...always holding. Gorgeous fish...they are just about as aggressive as other africans. I keep them with my yellow labs, flavus, and white top haras...they can hold their own. The male definitely dominates the entire tank. My female is actually holding right now, I strip her in a week.

Very nice hong

Thanks Kory. :)

Okay so mouth brooder, what else do I need to know?

well, obliviously males and females have the same morphology and color. (unless you are talking about the eletric blue johanni, which look very similar to this fish, but females remain a bright yellow) They like high pH around 7.7-8.2 (roughly) They start breeding around 1.5 to 2 inches and only grow to about 4-5 inches. Mouth brooders who are territorial and require a fish tank that's at least 3 feet long...longer if you plan on mixing them with other cichlids. Keep the temp around 76-82... the warmer it is, the more they breed and the faster they develop. Keep them in a trio or more... one male to several female will dilute aggression. That's all I can think of right now, PM me if you have any questions.

I just picked up three of them at the last auction. So far, I am very happy with them.

Thanks guys! One more question. Would you rather keep these or the Johanni?

h0ngkn0t2 wrote:

well, obliviously males and females have the same morphology and color. (unless you are talking about the eletric blue johanni, which look very similar to this fish, but females remain a bright yellow) They like high pH around 7.7-8.2 (roughly) They start breeding around 1.5 to 2 inches and only grow to about 4-5 inches. Mouth brooders who are territorial and require a fish tank that's at least 3 feet long...longer if you plan on mixing them with other cichlids. Keep the temp around 76-82... the warmer it is, the more they breed and the faster they develop. Keep them in a trio or more... one male to several female will dilute aggression. That's all I can think of right now, PM me if you have any questions.

Agreed.

Good info.