Sciaenochromis
Encyclopedia
Sciaenochromis is a genus
of haplochromine
cichlid
s endemic to Lake Malawi
in East Africa
. It includes at least 4 species
. The species are popular in the aquarium
hobby, most notably S. fryeri
.
Only males possess the impressive, electric blue
coloration, while females are dull grey, and generally similar to the females of Aulonocara
species. All Sciaenochromis are piscivores (fish-eaters) and prey mainly upon the fry of mbuna
and other haplochromine cichlids.
The species are:
, they are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Sciaenochromis are best kept in tanks with volumes greater than 210 l
(55 gal
). This is an aggressive fish, and the minimum tank size of 210 litres is only acceptable with a trio of 1 male and 2 females. If you are planning on keeping more males, it is highly recommended to have a larger tank, 350 l/100 gal being the minimum. Males can also display aggression towards similarly-coloured fish of other species, for example Aulonocara
or Placidochromis
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of haplochromine
Haplochromine
The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern and southern Africa...
cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s endemic to Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...
in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. It includes at least 4 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. The species are popular in the aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
hobby, most notably S. fryeri
Sciaenochromis fryeri
Sciaenochromis fryeri is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Lake Malawi, Africa.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....
.
Only males possess the impressive, electric blue
Electric blue (color)
Electric blue is a color close to cyan that is a representation of the color of lightning, an electric spark, and argon signs; it is named after the ionized air glow produced during electrical discharges....
coloration, while females are dull grey, and generally similar to the females of Aulonocara
Aulonocara
Aulonocara is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. All Aulonocara species are maternal mouth brooders. Particularly in the aquarium hobby, Aulonocara species are also known as peacock cichlids, aulonocaras or simply "peacocks"...
species. All Sciaenochromis are piscivores (fish-eaters) and prey mainly upon the fry of mbuna
Mbuna
Mbuna is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi. The name mbuna means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi...
and other haplochromine cichlids.
The species are:
- Sciaenochromis ahli – Electric Blue HapElectric blue hapThe electric blue hap is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-In the aquarium:...
- Sciaenochromis benthicolaSciaenochromis benthicolaSciaenochromis benthicola is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....
- Sciaenochromis fryeriSciaenochromis fryeriSciaenochromis fryeri is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Lake Malawi, Africa.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 5 August 2007....
- Sciaenochromis psammophilus – Electric Blue KandeElectric blue kandeThe electric blue kande is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
In the aquarium
Like all cichlids from Lake MalawiLake Malawi
Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...
, they are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Sciaenochromis are best kept in tanks with volumes greater than 210 l
Litre
pic|200px|right|thumb|One litre is equivalent to this cubeEach side is 10 cm1 litre water = 1 kilogram water The litre is a metric system unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimetre , to 1,000 cubic centimetres , and to 1/1,000 cubic metre...
(55 gal
Gallon
The gallon is a measure of volume. Historically it has had many different definitions, but there are three definitions in current use: the imperial gallon which is used in the United Kingdom and semi-officially within Canada, the United States liquid gallon and the lesser used United States dry...
). This is an aggressive fish, and the minimum tank size of 210 litres is only acceptable with a trio of 1 male and 2 females. If you are planning on keeping more males, it is highly recommended to have a larger tank, 350 l/100 gal being the minimum. Males can also display aggression towards similarly-coloured fish of other species, for example Aulonocara
Aulonocara
Aulonocara is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. All Aulonocara species are maternal mouth brooders. Particularly in the aquarium hobby, Aulonocara species are also known as peacock cichlids, aulonocaras or simply "peacocks"...
or Placidochromis
Placidochromis
Placidochromis is a genus of cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. They are part of the haplochromine lineage of Lake Malawi's cichlid taxa. Most Placidochromis species live in the open or sandy regions of the lake.-Species:...
.