Bumblebee Cichlid

The bumblebee cichlid is an mbuna that earns its name with thick dark bands on a yellow or golden brown background. Reaching 15 cm with a thick body, it is one of the larger members of the mbuna. Its most striking feature is that it can change color within a few seconds: excited or dominant individuals turn almost black.

It is known for its interesting way of life in the wild, but in the aquarium it is a tough, aggressive fish. Males are especially intolerant of yellow and banded fish that resemble them; next to small, calm mbuna they become dominant.

It lives on the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, in areas with large rock rubble and caves. It feeds on the algae layer on the rocks and on plankton, and it also has an interesting relationship with the lake's large catfish Bagrus meridionalis: it cleans the parasites off this fish's skin. When the catfish is distracted while guarding the eggs in its nest, however, it darkens, dives into the nest and eats the eggs.

• Volume: At least 300 liters and 150 cm of length; it is a large, powerful mbuna.
• Rockwork: Large caves and rock rubble; the rocks must sit firmly on the bottom.
• Water: Hard and alkaline (pH 7.8–8.5); aragonite substrate or Malawi salt.
• Maintenance: A strong filter and a 30–50% water change every week.

Omnivorous. Alternate spirulina-based mbuna food with quality cichlid granules; brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops can be added a few times a week. Foods containing bloodworms and mammalian meat should be avoided; there is a risk of Malawi bloat.

Males set up a large territory and chase yellow, brown or banded fish. It may eat small fish and fry that fit in its mouth. It gets along best with mbuna of similar size that can defend themselves.

Good companions: large, robust mbuna such as the cobalt blue zebra, kenyi and Labeotropheus species, large synodontis catfish suited to hard water.

Avoid: small, yellow or banded mbuna such as Labidochromis yellow and saulosi, calm Aulonocara and haplochromines, community fish, shrimp, snails.

• Single male: Only one male is kept in a 300–400 liter aquarium.
• Number of females: At least 3 females per male; more spreads out the pressure.
• Crowded community: A spacious aquarium with plenty of rocks, together with harems of other large mbuna species, gives the best result.

A mouthbrooder. The male courts in front of a cave, darkening in color as he does; the female takes the eggs into her mouth and they are fertilized via the egg spots on the male's anal fin. The female carries 20–40 eggs for about 3 weeks and does not eat during this time.

• Malawi bloat: Wrong diet and stress.
• Fight wounds: Seen in females under pressure from large, powerful males.
• Color change: Sudden darkening is usually behavioral, not a sign of disease; but an individual that stays dark and hides all the time is under stress.

The sexes have a similar pattern. Males grow larger, often turn dark brown to black and carry distinct egg spots on the anal fin. Females generally stay lighter and yellowish. For a definite distinction, look at the genital papilla.