Scrapermouth mbuna (Labeotropheus trewavasae)

Scientific name: Labeotropheus trewavasae Fryer, 1956

Scrapermouth mbuna (Labeotropheus trewavasae)

The Scrapermouth mbuna (Labeotropheus trewavasae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 11 cm (4.3 in). It is easy to keep and semi-aggressive, needs carefully chosen tank mates 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, Lake Malawi.

Scrapermouth mbuna care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Community tank
With caution
Adult size
11 cm (4.3 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
7.5–8.5
Hardness
5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Scrapes algae off rocks and also takes in small crustaceans and worms.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Labeotropheus trewavasae
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
11.7
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 8.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Boadzulu, Thumbi West, Zimbawe, Mumbo, Nakantenga, Maleri, Nankoma and Namalenje Islands, Masinje Rocks, Chirombo Point to Nkhata Bay and Lion's Cove to Chitande in Lake Malawi.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec

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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