{"product_id":"pseudotropheus-perspicax-orange-cap-chindongo-perspicax-orange-cap","title":"Pseudotropheus Perspicax Orange Cap | Chindongo perspicax 'Orange Cap'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Perspicax 'Orange Cap' is a neat, manageable mbuna that pairs a soft powder-blue body with a warm orange blaze across the top of the head and dorsal fin. Growing to around 10cm, it brings colour and movement to a Lake Malawi rock community without the extreme temper of some mbuna. A tidy, rewarding cichlid for the Rift Lake keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an undescribed form from Lake Malawi in East Africa, collected around Ndumbi and Pombo Reef. It lives over rocky shorelines in hard, alkaline water, grazing the algae film (Aufwuchs) that coats the boulders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDominant males show a purple-blue body topped by a vivid orange cap on the head and dorsal, while females and subdominant males stay a plainer brown. Males also reach a slightly larger size than females. The orange-and-blue contrast is what gives this fish its name and appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial like most mbuna, but more manageable than firebrands such as the Demasoni. Keep one male with several females to spread his attention, and provide plenty of rockwork so subdominant fish can escape line of sight. Best housed with other robust Malawi cichlids of similar temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a grazing omnivore leaning herbivorous. Feed a spirulina or vegetable-based cichlid pellet or flake, supplemented with algae wafers and occasional frozen foods. Avoid excessive protein, which can cause Malawi bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA large tank with abundant rock structure over sand suits it best. Maintain hard, alkaline Rift Lake water with strong filtration and regular water changes. Hardy and undemanding once the water chemistry and territories are right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Provide caves and a group so a dominant male can establish a spawning territory.\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 perspicax 'Orange Cap' (undescribed form; formerly Pseudotropheus sp.)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange Cap Perspicax\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 10cm (males larger than females)\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\u003eSemi-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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (mainly herbivorous)\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 Malawi mbuna community\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 disturbs 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 of differing colour and pattern, such as yellow labs, Acei and Rusty cichlids, plus Synodontis catfish. Keep in a harem of one male to several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, timid or long-finned species, and very similar blue mbuna that may trigger constant territorial fighting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232783188259,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232783221027,"sku":"AA3024","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Pseudotropheus_perspicax__orange_cap_c120b315-7ef3-43d6-b289-2944241c2521.jpg?v=1781446586","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pseudotropheus-perspicax-orange-cap-chindongo-perspicax-orange-cap","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}