{"product_id":"bumblebee-cichlid-pseudotropheus-crabro","title":"Bumblebee Cichlid | Pseudotropheus crabro","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bumblebee Cichlid is a big, bold mbuna from Lake Malawi, banded in black and yellow like its namesake insect. Famous in the wild for cleaning parasites from the sleeping kampango catfish — and even raiding their eggs — it is a fascinating but genuinely aggressive fish that reaches around 15cm. Give it plenty of room and rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives among the rocky shorelines and caves of the lake's mbuna zone. The water there is hard, alkaline and very stable — conditions that must be matched in the aquarium. It is closely associated with the caves used by large catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerfully built mbuna with a series of dark vertical bars over a yellow to golden body. Colour and barring shift dramatically with mood and dominance, and males intensify during breeding. Adults are substantial, thick-bodied fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive and highly territorial, especially as it matures and when breeding. It is best kept only with other robust Rift Lake mbuna of similar size and temperament in a spacious, rock-filled tank, using the crowding-and-cover approach that spreads aggression. Not suitable for a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae in the wild but also takes animal foods. Offer a quality cichlid pellet with a spirulina\/vegetable component, supplemented sparingly with frozen foods. Avoid excessive protein-rich or mammalian foods, which can cause digestive problems (Malawi bloat).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with abundant rocks arranged into caves and territories, hard alkaline water, strong filtration and good oxygenation. Stable, mineral-rich water and regular water changes are essential. Sand or fine gravel suits their digging habits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the female holds the fertilised eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing them. Males are territorial and colour up strongly to court females; a harem of several females to one male reduces harassment.\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\u003ePseudotropheus crabro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBumblebee Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive\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\u003e280 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\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\u003e7.6–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–25 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\u003eMalawi mbuna aquariums, experienced keepers\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\u003eNo (digs and grazes; most plants uprooted or eaten)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust Lake Malawi mbuna of similar size, such as Melanochromis, Maylandia\/Metriaclima and Labidochromis, in a large, well-structured rock aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, small tetras, livebearers, timid species, and soft-water fish. Also avoid mixing with slow or long-finned fish it can bully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232773816611,"sku":"AA2619-S","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232773849379,"sku":"AA2619","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232773882147,"sku":"AA2619-L","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/bumblebee-cichlid-pseudotrop-43878939427107.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/bumblebee-cichlid-pseudotropheus-crabro","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}