{"product_id":"big-eyed-mouthbrooder-callochromis-macrops","title":"Big-eyed Mouthbrooder | Callochromis macrops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Big-eyed Mouthbrooder is a sleek, restless sand-sifter from Lake Tanganyika, named for its large, expressive eyes. When a male displays he flushes with shimmering metallic blues, greens and reds - a real transformation from his everyday silver. Reaching around 12-14cm, this is an active, characterful cichlid for an open, sandy Rift Lake aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCallochromis macrops lives over the open sandy floors and sediment-rich shallows of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, one of the oldest and most alkaline lakes on Earth. It patrols the sand flats, constantly sifting for buried invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elongated, streamlined cichlid with notably large eyes and a slightly upturned mouth built for taking in sand. Resting fish are pale silver, but displaying males light up with iridescent bands of blue-green and red across the body and fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially between males and during spawning, when they become territorial over their sand patch. Best kept with other robust Tanganyikans that occupy different zones, such as Julidochromis, Neolamprologus and Altolamprologus, in a tank with plenty of open sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivorous sand-sifter in the wild, taking in mouthfuls of substrate and filtering out small invertebrates through the gills. In the aquarium it takes quality cichlid pellets and frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, cyclops and mysis. A fine sand bed lets it feed naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a deep bed of fine sand (5-8cm) for natural sifting, plenty of open swimming space, and hard, alkaline, very stable water typical of the Rift Lakes. Good filtration and strong oxygenation suit this active fish. Rockwork around the edges gives structure without crowding the open floor it needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The male excavates and defends a spawning pit in the sand, courts the female, and she takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth to incubate them. She broods the eggs and fry in her buccal cavity for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCallochromis macrops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBig-eyed Mouthbrooder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrica (Lake Tanganyika)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12-14cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sand-sifter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8-9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpen, sandy Tanganyikan aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eN\/A (sand-sifting; few plants in a Rift Lake setup)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther Lake Tanganyika cichlids that use different zones, such as Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Altolamprologus (Calvus and Compressiceps), and Cyprichromis in the upper water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, other open-sand sifters that will compete directly, very timid species, and boisterous large cichlids that will bully it off its territory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232786399523,"sku":"AA3576-S","price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232786432291,"sku":"AA3576","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232786465059,"sku":"AA3576-L","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/big-eyed-mouthbrooder-calloc-43880412184867.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/big-eyed-mouthbrooder-callochromis-macrops","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}