{"product_id":"rusty-cichlid-iodotropheus-sprengerae","title":"Rusty Cichlid | Iodotropheus sprengerae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Rusty Cichlid is a small, warm-toned Lake Malawi mbuna prized as one of the calmest and most beginner-friendly cichlids from the lake. Growing to around 10cm, its soft rust-brown to orange body and mellow temperament make it an easy entry point into African cichlid keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, found only in the southern part of the lake around the islands of Boadzulu, Chinyankwazi, and Chinyamwezi. It inhabits shallow, rocky shoreline areas with intermediate zones of rock and sediment, foraging over rocks and loose substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA compact, deep-bodied cichlid with a warm rusty brown to burnt-orange base colour and a subtle iridescent sheen, sometimes with faint darker barring. Males tend to show slightly more intense colouration than females, and males typically carry a handful of yellow egg-spots on the anal fin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWidely regarded as one of the least aggressive mbuna in the hobby, making it an excellent choice for a mixed Malawi cichlid community. It still holds a loose territory around rockwork but rarely causes the serious damage typical of more boisterous mbuna. Best avoided with very aggressive tankmates that could bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that needs a good proportion of vegetable matter, such as spirulina flakes or pellets and blanched vegetables, supplemented with small live or frozen foods like bloodworm and brine shrimp. Avoid excess protein, which can cause digestive issues in mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuits a rock-filled Malawi-style tank with plenty of caves and crevices for shelter and territory, over a sandy substrate. Water should be kept warm, hard, and strongly alkaline to mirror Lake Malawi conditions, with efficient filtration and regular water changes to maintain the stability this species prefers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA polygamous maternal mouthbrooder and one of the easiest Malawi cichlids to breed. Females mature at around 3.8cm and can produce between 5 and 60 fry per spawn, carrying the eggs and fry in their mouths for up to three weeks before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIodotropheus sprengerae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRusty Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Lake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10cm\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\u003ePeaceful (for a mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80L (90cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200L+ for a group in a mixed mbuna tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25-29°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5-8.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalawi cichlid community tanks, mbuna beginners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (freshwater species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (will graze soft plant matter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful to moderately assertive Malawi mbuna such as Labidochromis caeruleus (Yellow Lab), Pseudotropheus saulosi, and other Iodotropheus, kept in a well-rockscaped, adequately stocked tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHighly aggressive Malawi mbuna and large predatory haps that may bully or outcompete it, as well as soft-water community fish and slow, long-finned species unsuited to Malawi conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411433111843,"sku":"AA5703-S","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55411433144611,"sku":"AA5703-M","price":43.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/rusty-cichlid-iodotropheus-sprengerae-3002790-600.jpg?v=1785804531","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rusty-cichlid-iodotropheus-sprengerae","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}