{"product_id":"malawi-bream-chilotilapia-rhoadesii","title":"Malawi Bream | Chilotilapia rhoadesii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Malawi Bream is a robust, snail-crushing hap with real presence, dominant males taking on a coppery-blue sheen. It grows large — to around 25 cm — but is relatively peaceable for its size, making it a characterful centrepiece for a roomy Lake Malawi community. Plan for its adult size and appetite from the outset.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, this species inhabits the sandy and intermediate zones where it forages over the bottom. The lake's water is hard, alkaline and exceptionally stable, and the bream is well equipped to crush snails and other hard-shelled invertebrates it finds there.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky, deep-bodied cichlid; females and juveniles are silvery with faint barring, while dominant males develop a metallic coppery-blue flush and brighter fin markings. Adults reach roughly 25 cm, and occasionally more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful for a large hap, but still a big, territorial cichlid that should not be trusted with small fish it can swallow. It does well with other moderately robust Malawi haps and peacocks in a spacious tank, provided it isn't housed with overly dominant bullies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA molluscivore and carnivore by nature. Offer a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, supplemented with frozen or fresh meaty foods such as prawn, mussel and the occasional snail, plus some vegetable content. Feed generously but keep an eye on water quality, as it is a messy feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with a sandy base, sturdy rockwork and open swimming space, hard alkaline water, powerful filtration and regular large water changes. Hardy once mature, but its size and appetite demand serious filtration and maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female broods the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Removing the holding female to a separate tank improves fry survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChilotilapia rhoadesii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalawi Bream\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 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\u003eSemi-aggressive; relatively peaceful for its size\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\u003e300 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore \/ molluscivore (snail-crusher)\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\u003e10–18 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 Lake Malawi hap communities\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 — may disturb plants while foraging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther similarly sized Lake Malawi haps and peacocks such as \u003cem\u003ePlacidochromis\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCopadichromis\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eNimbochromis\u003c\/em\u003e and larger \u003cem\u003eAulonocara\u003c\/em\u003e, in a spacious, well-filtered tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall fish that fit in its mouth, delicate community species, and hyper-aggressive cichlids that will harass it. Avoid soft, acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232778502435,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232778535203,"sku":null,"price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232778567971,"sku":"AA3030","price":41.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351957553443,"sku":null,"price":46.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Malawi_Bream_378dc170-e0cf-466d-91ab-6ea2a041971e.jpg?v=1781446495","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/malawi-bream-chilotilapia-rhoadesii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}