Pseudotropheus acei
Pseudotropheus acei
Pseudotropheus acei has an elongated, slightly compressed body. Adult males are blue-purple with a bright yellow caudal fin; females are duller, gray-brown with a pale yellow tail. It reaches up to 10 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. In the wild, it feeds mainly on algae and plankton. In the aquarium, it is less aggressive than other mbunas, but males can be territorial. It lives in hierarchical groups.
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
Temperature 24-28°C, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 10-20. A minimum 200L tank is needed for a group of 5. Provide rocks to form hiding places and territories. Diet should be herbivorous: spirulina, blanched vegetables, algae-based pellets. Avoid excess animal protein. Males can be aggressive towards each other; a group with several females is recommended. Nitrates max 20 mg/L. Weekly water changes.