Livingston's cichlid
Nimbochromis livingstonii
This fish has an elongated, laterally compressed body and a large protractile mouth. Its base coloration is silvery or beige, covered with irregular dark spots that provide camouflage among vegetation. Adult males develop a bluish hue on the head and metallic sheen. It can reach up to 25 cm. It is an opportunistic predator that hides among plants or rocks to ambush prey. In the aquarium, it is peaceful with fish too large to eat, but may swallow smaller tankmates. It is best kept in a group of one male and several females to reduce intraspecific aggression.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 7.5–8.5 |
| GH | 10–20 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Care notes
Ideal temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5, GH 10–20. A minimum tank of 400 liters is required for a group. Provide open swimming areas and hiding spots with rocks and sturdy plants. Substrate can be sand. Diet should be carnivorous: whole fish, shrimp, earthworms, and carnivore cichlid pellets. Avoid floating foods that promote air intake. This species is generally peaceful with similarly sized fish, but should not be kept with very small species. Weekly water changes of 20–30% are recommended. Filtration should be strong with moderate current.