{"product_id":"nimbochromis-fuscotaeniatus-nimbochromis-fuscotaeniatus","title":"Fusco | Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNimbochromis fuscotaeniatus, the \"Fusco,\" is a large and impressive predatory cichlid from Lake Malawi that reaches around 25–30 cm. Males develop bold blue faces over a mottled brown body, and the fish is famous for its ambush hunting, lying still among rocks before striking. This is a big, characterful showpiece that needs a very large tank and robust tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, it patrols the intermediate and sandy zones near rocks, using cover to stalk smaller fish. The lake's water is hard, alkaline and extremely stable, warm year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA large, elongate haplochromine reaching roughly 25–30 cm, with males the larger and more colourful sex. The body is patterned in dark brown blotches and bars over a paler ground, and mature males flush an electric blue across the head and face. Its mottled camouflage is part of its hunting strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA predatory, territorial cichlid that becomes especially aggressive when breeding or confined. It will eat any fish small enough to swallow, so tankmates must be too large to be seen as food but robust enough to cope with its temperament. It is not a community fish in any conventional sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and natural piscivore. Feed a quality carnivore pellet or stick as the staple, supplemented with frozen foods such as krill, prawn and mysis. Avoid feeder fish and mammalian meats, and do not overfeed. Live fish are unnecessary and carry disease risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a very large tank of at least 450–500 litres with hard, alkaline water, strong filtration, robust rockwork and open swimming space. Frequent large water changes are essential to cope with the waste load of a big, meaty predator. This is a fish for the keeper with the space and filtration to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Males can be very rough with females during spawning, so provide plenty of space and cover.\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\u003eNimbochromis fuscotaeniatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFusco, Fuscotaeniatus\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 25–30 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, aggressive and 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\u003e450 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore – quality carnivore pellets and frozen 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\u003e10–25 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\u003eLarge Lake Malawi hap \/ predator 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 – a large digging predator; plants are generally impractical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust Lake Malawi haps and mbuna too big to be eaten, such as larger Nimbochromis, Placidochromis, big peacocks and sturdy mbuna, all housed in a suitably large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny fish small enough to swallow, timid or slow species, soft-water community fish, and delicate long-finned fish. Do not mix with anything that cannot handle hard, alkaline water and a big predator.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232778633507,"sku":null,"price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232778666275,"sku":"AA3029","price":32.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232778699043,"sku":null,"price":37.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351957586211,"sku":null,"price":42.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Nimbochromis_fuscotaeniatus_b98121bf-d295-4be5-8ca6-f5c27f11225a.jpg?v=1781446570","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/nimbochromis-fuscotaeniatus-nimbochromis-fuscotaeniatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}