{"product_id":"rhamphochromis-sp-chilingali-rhamphochromis-sp-chilingali","title":"Rhamphochromis sp. chilingali | Rhamphochromis sp. 'Chilingali'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA sleek, torpedo-shaped open-water hunter, the Chilingali Rhamphochromis is Lake Malawi's answer to a pike or barracuda. This is a dwarf member of the genus, reaching only around 14 cm rather than the 20 cm-plus of its larger cousins, but it keeps every bit of the streamlined, fast-swimming predatory charm. A fascinating, active fish for a spacious, well-lidded Rift Lake aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRhamphochromis sp. 'Chilingali' comes from Lake Chilingali, a small satellite lake near Lake Malawi in East Africa. It lives in warm, hard, alkaline open water, hunting in the upper levels. Sadly the wild population is thought to be lost, so aquarium fish are maintained entirely from captive stock — keeping this species going is part of its appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA slender, elongated fish with a pointed head, upturned mouth and a deeply streamlined body built for speed. The base colour is silvery, and dominant males flush with blue and yellow along the flanks and fins when displaying. Its overall shape is unmistakably that of a small freshwater barracuda.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn active, open-water predator. It is not especially aggressive towards fish it cannot eat, but anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food. Keep it with robustly sized Malawi haps and other tankmates too large to swallow, and give it a group of its own kind and plenty of horizontal swimming space. Males can be pushy with one another.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore and natural piscivore. In the aquarium it takes quality carnivore pellets, along with frozen and live foods such as mysis, krill, prawn pieces and other meaty fare. Avoid feeder fish, which carry disease; a varied frozen and prepared diet keeps it in far better health.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with 300 L or larger much better for a small group of these active swimmers, as they need length to cruise. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard, alkaline water, GH around 10–20. Strong filtration, good oxygenation and a tight-fitting lid are essential, as these fast fish can jump. It is plant safe, though it takes little notice of plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder like most Malawi cichlids. After spawning the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for a few weeks. Breeding in captivity is important for the survival of this species, and a conditioned group in spacious, stable water offers the best chance.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhamphochromis sp. 'Chilingali'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChilingali Malawi Barracuda, Chilingali Rhamphochromis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Chilingali, Malawi (East Africa)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 14 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory (open-water); not aggressive to fish too large to eat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/piscivore: carnivore pellets, frozen and live meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, well-lidded Malawi hap and predator aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include similarly sized or larger Malawi haps, robust Placidochromis, Copadichromis and other open-water cichlids too big to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with any fish small enough to swallow, small mbuna that may harass it, and delicate community fish. Avoid soft, acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232782008611,"sku":"AA3474-S","price":58.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232782041379,"sku":"AA3474","price":68.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232782074147,"sku":"AA3474-L","price":78.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351958208803,"sku":"AA3474-XL","price":88.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/rhamphochromis-sp-chilingali-43879716421923.webp?v=1790305550","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rhamphochromis-sp-chilingali-rhamphochromis-sp-chilingali","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}