Telmatochromis bifrenatus

Telmatochromis bifrenatus is a small, slender cichlid recognized by two dark horizontal stripes running along its light beige body: one runs from the snout through the eye to the tail, the other along the back. Males reach around 6 cm, while females stay smaller. It lives in the narrow gaps between rocks and stones; to spawn it often uses narrow crevices or empty snail shells. With its small size and compatible nature it can be kept with shell dwellers and small julies.

• 60 liters for a pair; 100 liters or more with other species.
• Piles of stones, narrow crevices and a few snail shells.
• pH 8–9, hard and stable water; a 20–25% water change every week.
• Fine sand substrate.

Omnivorous. Make small-grained granules and flakes the staple and vary it with frozen cyclops and brine shrimp; it also accepts foods containing spirulina.

It defends a territory around its nest, but in keeping with its size this defense is moderate. The pair guards the eggs and fry together.

Good companions: shell dwellers, small Julidochromis species, Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis.

Avoid: large carnivorous Tanganyika cichlids, quarrelsome Tropheus and mbuna.