{"product_id":"livingstoni-cichlid-nimbochromis-livingstonii","title":"Livingstoni Cichlid | Nimbochromis livingstonii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Malawi master of deception — the \"Livingstoni\" lies on its side playing dead, blotched to blend with the sand, then ambushes the curious fish that come to investigate. Boldly marked, intelligent and full of guile, it grows into a big predator of 20–25 cm and makes a fascinating centrepiece for a large Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNimbochromis livingstonii\u003c\/em\u003e is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, hunting over sandy and intermediate zones in hard, alkaline, mineral-rich water. Its \"sleeper\" ambush strategy is used against small fish across the lake's sandy margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large, robust hap with a bold pattern of dark brown-black blotches over a pearly-white to pale-blue base. Dominant males develop blue on the head and fins. The broken pattern is superb camouflage against the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA predator, but not a relentless bully — it is more of an opportunistic ambusher than an aggressor. It will eat any fish small enough to swallow, so tankmates must be robust and too large to be prey. Give it space; it appreciates open sand and rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore\/piscivore. Feed quality cichlid pellets as a base, plus meaty frozen foods — prawn, mysis, krill and fish pieces. Avoid live feeder fish (disease and nutrition risk). It has a big appetite but should not be overfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHard, alkaline, clean water in a large tank with a sandy substrate, rockwork and plenty of open swimming space. Strong filtration and regular water changes are essential given its size and appetite. Robust and rewarding once its space needs are met.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilised eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. A large tank with a group (more females than males) gives the best breeding results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNimbochromis livingstonii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLivingston's 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 20–25 cm\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\u003ePredatory; ambush hunter\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\u003e350 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore \/ piscivore (meaty foods)\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\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 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\u003eIntermediate keepers; large Malawi hap tanks\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 — may disturb rooted plants; naturally a rock-and-sand fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust Malawi haps and larger peacocks of similar size, plus sturdy \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e catfish. Choose tankmates too large to become a meal, in a suitably big tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny small fish (they become prey), timid species, soft-water community fish, and very aggressive mbuna that harass it constantly. Avoid small, overstocked tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784171299,"sku":"AA1374-S","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784204067,"sku":"AA1374","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232784236835,"sku":"AA1374-L","price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351958339875,"sku":"AA1374-XL","price":32.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/livingstoni-cichlid-10266476511523-sa.webp?v=1790318148","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/livingstoni-cichlid-nimbochromis-livingstonii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}