{"product_id":"otopharynx-lithobates-black-orange-dorsal-otopharynx-lithobates","title":"Otopharynx lithobates \"Black Orange Dorsal\" | Otopharynx lithobates","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Black Orange Dorsal\" is a compact, richly coloured Lake Malawi hap, with displaying males showing a deep blue body topped by a glowing orange blaze along the dorsal fin. Reaching around 13–15 cm, it is one of the more peaceful haps and makes an easy, colourful feature in a mixed Malawi display. Its manageable size and mild temperament make it a good choice for a community of gentler Rift Lake cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOtopharynx lithobates lives in Lake Malawi in East Africa, typically around the transition zones between rock and sand and in the shade of caves and overhangs. The lake is hard, alkaline and remarkably stable, so replicating those steady, mineral-rich conditions is central to keeping this fish well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDominant males develop a dark blue to near-black body with a striking orange to yellow blaze running along the top of the head and dorsal fin. Females and non-dominant males are a plainer silvery-brown, so the species is at its best when a male can hold a territory and colour up. Adults reach roughly 13–15 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful for a Malawi cichlid, it is mild-mannered outside of breeding but males will defend a chosen cave. It should be kept with other calm haps and peacocks rather than aggressive mbuna, which will bully and stress it. A settled male in a spacious tank shows the best colour and behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore with omnivorous leanings that, in the wild, picks small invertebrates from the substrate and around caves. Feed a good-quality cichlid pellet or flake as the staple, with frozen foods such as mysis and brine shrimp. Avoid overfeeding rich, mammalian-based foods, as Malawi cichlids are prone to bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 200 litres (250 litres-plus for a community) with hard, alkaline water, a sandy substrate and plenty of rockwork and caves for shelter and territory. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep water quality high. This is an intermediate species mainly because of its water-chemistry needs and cichlid social dynamics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder: after spawning, usually near a cave, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. It breeds readily in a well-kept tank, and holding females are best moved to a quiet tank to raise the fry safely.\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\u003eOtopharynx lithobates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Orange Dorsal, Sulphur-crested Lithobates\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 13–15 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\u003eRelatively peaceful (territorial when breeding)\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 or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (omnivore-leaning) – cichlid pellets, flake, frozen 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\u003eMixed 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\u003eMostly – may dig around caves; tolerant of hardy plants like Anubias and Vallisneria\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks (Aulonocara, Copadichromis, Nyassachromis), and robust companions such as Synodontis catfish, kept in a spacious rocky tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive mbuna, boisterous large cichlids, soft-water community fish, and anything small enough to be eaten. Avoid mixing with fish that share the same colour pattern, which can trigger male aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232781910307,"sku":null,"price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232781943075,"sku":"AA3478","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232781975843,"sku":null,"price":43.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Otopharynx_lithobates__Black_Orange_Dorsal_d8f2713c-51c3-4cad-93a2-366a67ac3bd4.jpg?v=1781446570","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/otopharynx-lithobates-black-orange-dorsal-otopharynx-lithobates","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}