{"product_id":"mphanga-cichlid-metriaclima-sp-elongatus-mphanga","title":"Mphanga Cichlid | Metriaclima sp. 'Elongatus Mphanga'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mphanga Cichlid is a slender, elegant Lake Malawi mbuna in electric blue and black, with males showing far more intense colour than the more subdued females. Reaching around 10–12 cm, it is an active, moderately aggressive rock-dweller that makes a lovely addition to a well-structured Malawi community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis member of the \"elongatus\" group comes from the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi near Mphanga, where it lives among boulders and crevices in hard, alkaline, oxygen-rich water, grazing algae and defending small territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth sexes share a blue-and-black barred pattern on an elongate body, but dominant males are far more vivid, often with a yellowish flush to the tail. Females and subordinate males are paler. Adults reach roughly 10–12 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerately aggressive, especially between males and towards similar species, it is best kept in a busy mbuna community with ample rockwork and a female-heavy ratio. Avoid housing it with timid or much smaller fish that it may bully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most mbuna it is essentially herbivorous and needs a diet high in green matter, such as spirulina flakes and vegetable-based cichlid pellets. Too much protein risks the digestive disorder known as Malawi bloat, which can be fatal, so keep meaty foods to an occasional treat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline water, strong filtration and an aquascape of stacked rock offering plenty of caves and territories. A tank of at least 150 litres is recommended, with larger volumes making aggression easier to manage. Keep nitrate low with regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilised eggs in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. It breeds readily in a well-kept mbuna or species tank.\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\u003eMetriaclima sp. 'Elongatus Mphanga' (also placed in Chindongo)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMphanga Cichlid, Elongatus Mphanga\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (Mphanga), East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12 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\u003eModerately aggressive, territorial\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\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – spirulina flakes, vegetable pellets, algae\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\u003eMalawi mbuna \/ Rift Lake cichlid 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\u003eNo – grazes and dislodges plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust mbuna such as yellow labs, red zebras and Maylandia species, kept in groups with more females than males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, long-finned species, small tetras, and soft-water fish that cannot tolerate hard, alkaline Rift Lake conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232773947683,"sku":null,"price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232773980451,"sku":"AA2585","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232774013219,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Mphanga_Cichlid_768364f0-53a8-4908-b24a-a7c5e4452ae6.jpg?v=1781446531","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/mphanga-cichlid-metriaclima-sp-elongatus-mphanga","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}