{"product_id":"snow-white-cichlid-pseudotropheus-socolofi","title":"Snow White Cichlid | Pseudotropheus socolofi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoft powder-white with the gentlest blue wash, the Snow White (Socolofi or Pindani) is one of the calmer mbuna and glows beautifully against dark rockwork. Hardy, elegant and easy to please, it reaches around 10–12 cm and makes a striking, good-natured choice for a Rift Lake community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePseudotropheus socolofi (also classified as Chindongo socolofi) is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, found mainly along the Mozambique coast around the border with Tanzania. It lives in the intermediate zone between rock and open sand, grazing algae from boulders in hard, alkaline, oxygen-rich water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA streamlined mbuna body in clean powder-white to pale blue, with faint darker barring visible in some light and neat black edging to the dorsal and anal fins. Males develop egg-spots on the anal fin and intensify in colour when displaying; females are similarly coloured but plainer.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive but noticeably more peaceable than many mbuna, it still defends a territory and is best kept in a busy Malawi setup where aggression is spread across many fish. Keep it with other medium mbuna of similar temperament and avoid mixing with timid community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimarily a grazer that needs a vegetable-based diet — quality cichlid flake or pellet with a good algae\/spirulina content, plus blanched greens. Go easy on protein-rich frozen foods such as bloodworm, which can cause digestive trouble (Malawi bloat) in herbivorous mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide at least 200 L, ideally 250 L or more, aquascaped with plenty of rock caves and open sand. Keep the temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard, alkaline water. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep these active fish healthy. Robust plants like Anubias and Vallisneria may survive, but expect some grazing and digging.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike most Malawi cichlids, the Snow White is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female collects the fertilised eggs into her mouth and incubates them there for around three weeks, releasing fully formed fry. A dominant male in a group of several females will spawn readily in a mature Rift Lake tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePseudotropheus socolofi (also classified as Chindongo socolofi)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSnow White Cichlid, Socolofi, Pindani\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa (Mozambique coast)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (mbuna)\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\u003e250 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore-leaning omnivore: algae\/spirulina flake and pellet, blanched greens\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\u003eHard-water Lake Malawi (mbuna) 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\u003eLimited (grazes and may uproot plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other medium mbuna of similar temperament such as yellow labs, other Pseudotropheus\/Chindongo, and robust synodontis catfish in a large Malawi setup.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with timid community fish, soft-water species, and very aggressive large mbuna or haps that will bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232773062947,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232773095715,"sku":"AA2048","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232773128483,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Snow_White_Cichlid_e4c76950-482c-450f-95a7-4240df5d45a6.jpg?v=1781446589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/snow-white-cichlid-pseudotropheus-socolofi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}