Pundamilia nyererei

Pundamilia nyererei is a haplochromine cichlid that lives around the rocky islands of Lake Victoria. Males are very colorful, with a red back and dorsal fin, yellow-orange flanks and dark vertical bars; females are a plain yellowish brown. It reaches about 10 cm. Together with its blue-male relative Pundamilia pundamilia, it is a main subject of research showing how light conditions and female choice influence speciation. Because the release of non-native fish into Lake Victoria and water pollution have caused many native cichlids to decline in the wild, pure lines in the aquarium are valuable; it should not be hybridized with other Victoria species.

• At least 150 liters and 100–120 cm of length for one male and 3–4 females.
• Rock piles and caves; a layout that breaks up lines of sight.
• pH 7.5–8.5, moderately hard water; a 25–30% water change every week.
• Sand substrate; males may dig nest pits.

Omnivorous; in the wild it feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Use a quality cichlid granule and spirulina-based flakes as the staple; vary the diet with frozen brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops.

Males are aggressive toward each other and toward similarly colored fish. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth for about three weeks.

Good companions: Robust African cichlids of similar size and different appearance, and Synodontis catfish.

Avoid: Other Victoria haplochromines (they hybridize), small fish, shrimp, calm community fish.