{"product_id":"vc-10-placidochromis-milomo","title":"VC-10 | Placidochromis milomo","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamous for its big, rubbery lips - which give this Placidochromis its nickname \"VC-10\", after the jet airliner - this large, characterful hap presses its lips into rocky crevices to hoover out hidden invertebrates. Despite its imposing size and predatory habits, it's a relatively peaceful, laid-back cichlid with real presence in a big Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi, found over sandy and rocky habitats in the southern part of the lake, where it forages by pressing its fleshy lips into crevices to extract invertebrates and small prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust, elongated hap with a silvery-blue base colour, faint vertical barring, and unmistakably large, fleshy lips. Dominant males develop deeper blue colouration as they mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful for a large hap and does well in a community of similarly sized Malawi cichlids, though it becomes territorial as it matures. Best avoided with boisterous mbuna, which can out-compete or harass it, and too large to keep with small or delicate species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that thrives on a protein-rich diet - quality cichlid pellets or sticks form the staple, supplemented with meaty frozen foods like brine shrimp, krill or mysis shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA large fish that needs a large tank - 300 litres minimum, with 450 litres or more recommended for a mixed Malawi community. Provide a sand substrate with rock piles forming caves and open swimming space, and keep water hard and alkaline to match its Rift Lake origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder like most Malawi haps. Females carry fertilised eggs and free-swimming fry in their mouths for several weeks, releasing fully formed juveniles. Breeding can occur in a well-established community tank with suitable rockwork.\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\u003ePlacidochromis milomo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVC-10 (Super VC-10)\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\u003eUp to 25cm\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\u003eSemi-aggressive, predatory but relatively calm; territorial as an adult\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\u003e300 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres or more for a Malawi community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore - cichlid pellets and meaty frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°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\u003e10-20 dGH (hard, alkaline)\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\u003eLarger Malawi hap communities\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\u003eNot typically kept planted - hard alkaline water and rockscaping suit it better than live plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther medium-to-large peaceful Malawi haps of similar size and temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoisterous mbuna, small fish it could out-competed or prey on, and anything too delicate for a hard-water Rift Lake setup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232780402979,"sku":"BA8254-S","price":42.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232780435747,"sku":"BA8254","price":47.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232780468515,"sku":"BA8254-L","price":52.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351958012195,"sku":"BA8254-XL","price":62.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/vc-10-placidochromis-milomo-43879582105891.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/vc-10-placidochromis-milomo","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}