If you prefer you can also add the Tanganyikan species as well. Other species that can be paired with the Rusty Cichlid include the Aulonocara, Protomelas or Copadichromis species. Fish that complement it well and are actually native to Lake Malawi such as the Peacock, Firemouth, and Electric Blue Ram variations. The selection of fish you add with your Rusty Cichlid is just as important as having the right PH and temperature settings. Since it is one of the least aggressive fish it can easily be outcompeted by bigger more dominant ones. Adding items such as clay pots, grottoes, snags, and hardy plants will not only make your fish happy but give some personality to your tank. Since it is the most peaceful cichlid it can easily be picked on by others. Besides having the plants mentioned before, it would be wise to invest in sand and some pebbles as it loves to dig to create its own habitats. Plants such as Christmas Moss, Anubias and or Java will suffice. The perfect tank for this fish will be one that has vegetation. Coming from Lake Malawi, it is important to match its environment to that. What this means is that knowledge of its original environment and neighbors it lived with will make your tank a merrier one. Rusty Cichlid Tank SetupĪs with any other fish it is imperative to create an environment most similar to its natural habitat. Excellent choices are Bloodworms, larvae from mosquitos, pellets, brine shrimp, and vegetable matter (cucumber, spinach, and lettuce). Being an omnivore it can eat both meat, insects and plant matter. Having an adequate aquarium will allow this fish to thrive and when healthy can live for five years.ĭespite being a small fish, the Rusty Cichlid consumes a wide variety of foods. The best tank to use for this situation is a freshwater aquarium of at least 80 liters or more. What this entails is that the Rusty Cichlid will need a tank that accommodates it well. Ideal temperatures that will make your fish a happy fellow is between 78-80☏ (24-26☌).Īlthough not overly territorial, these types of fish still can grow to decent sizes of 4 inches. The best water to use for this fish will be hard water at about 200 parts per million with a PH of somewhere around 7.8-8.2. Much like any other fish that you place in your tank, certain conditions must be met to make sure your Rusty Cichlid thrives. In honor of her work, the fish was named after her as Iodotropheus Sprengerae.
Rusty Cichlid was identified with the persistent efforts of Kappy Sprenger, an aquarist from Los Gatos, California. Their less-aggressive nature and small size makes them great for ideal fish for fishkeepers that are new to keeping mbuna cichlids.
While fish of the same species can display different social behavior, choosing tank mates for Rusty Cichlids is easier compared to other mbuna cichlids.Ĭonsidering their size of only 3-4 inches, they are great for medium-sized aquariums as well. However, compared to many other mbuna cichlids, Rusty Cichlid are much less aggressive. The male Rusty Cichlid has a rust colored body as well, but is has more of a purple hue on the mid-section of the body.Īs a mbuna, they do show some territorial behavior. As the name suggests, the female Rusty Cichlid have beautiful rust colored body. Rusty Cichlid ( Iodotropheus Sprengerae) is a African Cichlid species that is native to the Chinyamwezi regions of Lake Malawi in East Africa.