Lavender mbuna (Iodotropheus sprengerae)

Scientific name: Iodotropheus sprengerae Oliver & Loiselle, 1972

Lavender mbuna (Iodotropheus sprengerae)

The Lavender mbuna (Iodotropheus sprengerae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 11 cm (4.3 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 23–28°C (73–82°F) and a pH of 7.8–8.6. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi.

Lavender mbuna care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Adult size
11 cm (4.3 in)
Minimum tank
115 L (30 US gal)
Temperature
23–28°C (73–82°F)
pH
7.8–8.6
Hardness
5–20 dGH (89–357 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8. Gill rakers on first ceratobranchial 7-9; gill rakers on first epibranchial 1-3.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Iodotropheus sprengerae
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
10.8
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in Boadzulu and Chinyankwazi Islands. Also recorded from Chinyamwezi Island.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (D2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (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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