Obliquidens cichlid
Haplochromis obliquidens
This fish has a streamlined body and a terminal mouth. Adult males display a metallic blue coloration with red or orange highlights on the fins, while females are silvery with dark vertical bars. It reaches about 15 cm. It is an active fish that swims in open water and feeds on invertebrates and plankton. In the aquarium, it is gregarious and can be kept in groups. It is less aggressive than mbunas, but males can become territorial during breeding. It is sensitive to water quality and requires stable parameters.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–26 |
| pH | 7–8 |
| GH | 8–15 |
| KH | 6–10 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Care notes
Temperature 24–26°C, pH 7.0–8.0, GH 8–15, KH 6–10. A minimum tank volume of 200 liters is recommended for a group. The aquarium should have open swimming areas and hiding spots with rocks and plants. Substrate can be sand. Diet is omnivorous: quality pellets, artemia, daphnia, and blanched vegetables. Avoid excess protein. This species cohabits well with other Lake Victoria cichlids or peaceful fish of similar size. Weekly water changes of 20% are recommended. Filtration should be efficient with moderate current.