{"product_id":"pseudotropheus-demansoni-pseudotropheus-demasoni","title":"Pseudotropheus Demasoni | Chindongo demasoni","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTiny, fearless and dressed in electric blue and jet-black bars, the Demasoni is one of the most striking dwarf mbuna in the hobby. Despite topping out at only around 8cm, it carries the attitude of a fish three times its size, so it is best kept as a large group in a busy rocky tank. A dazzling choice for the committed Rift Lake keeper who understands its temper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChindongo demasoni is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives along the rocky shoreline around Pombo Rocks and Ndumbi Reef. The water there is hard, alkaline and very stable, and the fish spend their days grazing algae from the rockwork in the shallows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stocky little mbuna banded in alternating deep sky-blue and black stripes that run the length of the body and into the dorsal fin. Males and females share the same bold colours, which is unusual among mbuna and part of the appeal. Colour holds well throughout life, and a large group flickering through the rocks is a spectacular sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe candid: this is a very aggressive fish for its size and it is relentless towards its own kind and any similarly striped, blue-barred species. The proven approach is to keep a crowded colony of twelve or more so aggression is spread thinly rather than focused on one or two individuals. Single pairs or trios almost always end with the weaker fish being harassed to death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dedicated herbivore. Feed a quality spirulina or vegetable-based cichlid flake or pellet, with algae wafers and blanched greens. Avoid protein-rich foods such as beef heart or excessive bloodworm, which can trigger the often-fatal Malawi bloat in mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with abundant rockwork forming caves and territories, over a sand substrate. Hard, alkaline Rift Lake water is essential, along with strong filtration and regular water changes to cope with the heavy stocking these fish need. They are hardy once conditions are right, but they are not a beginner's community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After a rocky courtship the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Fry are easy to raise on crushed flake, though in a crowded colony a breeding tank is best if you want to grow numbers.\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\u003eChindongo demasoni (formerly Pseudotropheus demasoni)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDemasoni, Dwarf Mbuna\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 8cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery aggressive\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 for a colony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore\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\u003eIntermediate keepers with a dedicated Malawi mbuna tank\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 uproots most plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust Lake Malawi mbuna that differ clearly in colour and pattern, such as yellow labs (Labidochromis caeruleus), Rusty cichlids and Acei. Synodontis catfish make good tankmates in the lower levels. Always keep Demasoni in a large group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny similarly blue-and-black barred mbuna (they will be attacked on sight), peaceful community fish, slow or long-finned fish, and small tankmates that will be bullied. Do not keep as a single pair or trio.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232774275363,"sku":null,"price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232774308131,"sku":"BA8257","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Pseudotropheus_demansoni_6c08788b-7a01-4bf8-bd6c-907fdb37920a.jpg?v=1781446572","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pseudotropheus-demansoni-pseudotropheus-demasoni","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}