Egyptian Mouthbrooder

The Egyptian mouthbrooder is a small cichlid that lives across a wide area stretching from the Nile to the Lake Victoria basin. Males are decorated with scales that shine in blue, green and gold; the orange-red spot at the tip of the anal fin is typical. Females are a plain light brown. It reaches 7–8 cm. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth and, even after the fry have been released, takes them back into her mouth when danger threatens; this behavior is easy to observe in the aquarium. It adapts to a wide range of temperatures and water values.

• 60 liters for one male and 2–3 females; a larger volume reduces fighting.
• Sand substrate, stone groups and plants; the male digs small nest pits in the sand.
• pH 6.5–8.5, a wide hardness range; a 25% water change every week.

Omnivorous. Use small granules and flakes as the staple; vary the diet with frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and cyclops.

Males are territorial and quarrelsome during breeding; they may chase the females. Toward other species it is moderate for its size.

Good companions: Robust fish of similar size: barbs, large characins, fast fish that do not share the bottom zone.

Avoid: Small and delicate fish, shrimp, large and aggressive cichlids.