Blue mbuna (Labeotropheus fuelleborni)

Scientific name: Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1926

Blue mbuna (Labeotropheus fuelleborni)

The Blue mbuna (Labeotropheus fuelleborni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 18 cm (7.1 in). It is easy to keep, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 7.5–8.5. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi at Chisumulu Island.

Blue mbuna care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
18 cm (7.1 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
7.5–8.5
Diet
Omnivore

Biology

Is territorial over rocky substrate. Usually feeds alone, or in small groups with other species, on the aufwuchs cover on rocks in shallow water.Occasionally, however, members band and form feeding schools of several hundred fish which raid the rich algal gardens of other species. Also feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Labeotropheus fuelleborni
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
30.0
Depth range
1–6 m (3–20 ft)
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5; dH range: ? - 12 benthopelagic; depth range 1 - 6 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Endemic and widely distributed in Lake Malawi, including offshore islands.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More african cichlids

See all african cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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