{"product_id":"kamberi-intermedius-cichliid-tramitichromis-intermedius","title":"Kamberi Intermedius Cichlid | Tramitichromis intermedius","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kamberi, or Intermedius, is a graceful sand-sifting hap from Lake Malawi that spends its days sieving mouthfuls of substrate for hidden morsels, spitting out clean sand as it goes. Peaceful and endlessly busy along the bottom, males flush blue and gold when displaying. It reaches around 16–17 cm, making a handsome, comparatively gentle centrepiece for a larger Rift Lake tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTramitichromis intermedius is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it works the open sandy floors and sediment-rich margins. Its whole biology is built around sifting fine sand, so it needs a soft substrate and the hard, alkaline, stable water of the lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elegant, elongated hap with a slightly downturned mouth suited to sifting. Females and juveniles are silvery with faint markings; mature males develop lovely blue faces and flanks washed with gold and metallic sheen, brightening dramatically in display. It is a graceful, understated fish rather than a garish one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMild-mannered for a Malawi cichlid — it is not a bully and spends most of its energy foraging rather than fighting, though males will display to one another. Keep it with other peaceful to moderately assertive haps and peacocks; it can be outcompeted by very aggressive mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and dedicated sand-sifter that filters small invertebrates from the substrate. Offer a quality cichlid pellet plus frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp and cyclops. A fine sand bed lets it feed naturally, which keeps it in the best condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 200 litres, ideally 250 litres or more, with a deep bed of fine sand it can sift and some rock structure around the edges. Hard, alkaline water and strong, clean filtration are essential. Stable parameters and regular water changes keep this active forager healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The male clears a spawning site on the sand and displays; after spawning the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Breeding is quite achievable in a spacious, well-run Malawi tank with several females per male.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTramitichromis intermedius\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKamberi \/ Intermedius (sand-sifting Hap)\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\u003e16–17 cm (males; females slightly smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild (peaceful for a hap)\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sand-sifter; pellet and frozen foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–25 dGH (hard)\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\u003eLarger Lake Malawi hap and peacock 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\u003eGenerally yes (sifts sand but does not eat plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful to moderate Malawi haps and peacocks (Aulonocara), other sand-sifters, and larger synodontis catfish. Choose tank mates that share hard, alkaline water and won't monopolise the food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHighly aggressive mbuna that will harass it off the sand, small fish that fit in its mouth, and soft-water community species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232782336291,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232782369059,"sku":"BA9318","price":39.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232782401827,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351958274339,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Kamberi_Intermedius_Cichlid_17d876e3-6770-4eeb-b3d0-3d444075ec54.jpg?v=1781446493","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/kamberi-intermedius-cichliid-tramitichromis-intermedius","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}