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A
species related (in terms of behavior and coloration) to Cyrtocara
moorii. It belongs to the "Happies" group which also
includes many species I keep in my non-mbuna tank (Sciaenochromis
ahli, Protomelas ornatus, Protomelas taeniolatus, Cyrtocara moorii).
Will grow to 20 cm (males) and 16-17 cm (females). If a tank is to
house more than 5-6 members of the Happies group it should be at
least 200 cm in length with a minimum water capacity of 600 Liters.
The male has a characteristic black vertical bar crossing its eye (sometimes in the
body, too), dark lower fins, a yellow perimetric
band at the edge of the dorsal fin and a different shape than most
tankmates which reduces aggression (with the exception of some
occasional chasing by the adult Cyrtocara moorii).
Will
eat anything offered. Usually it will pick the food other cichlids
drop from the bottom of the tank. A relatively peaceful species (for
an African) will use the tank length for swimming though very rarely
in the upper part of the water column. The hobbyist should know that
males of this species - as with many other Malawi Haps - takes a
very long time to reach sexual maturity, final size and develop its
magnificent coloration. In view of that, the hobbyist should either
wait patiently until this happens or buy already adult fish, which
do not come cheap.
Minimum
tank size : 150 cm / 500 liters.
Close-up
shot: 100 ASA film, 300 mm lens, f/11, 1/60 sec, auto-bellows,
Sunpack flash unit (GN:36 at 1/8th setting) taped over the lens,
shot from a distance of 80 cm. Flash head tilted slightly to avoid
reflections from the glass. Hand-held camera.
Top
Photo shot in January 2000.
See next
page for more photos.
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