Scientific Name
- Labeotropheus Trewavasae (Scrapermouth Mbuna)
The Chilumba Red Cichlid is a beautiful and relatively hardy African cichlid originating from the rocky shores of Lake Malawi. While often referred to as the "Chilumba Red," it's important to note that this is typically a colour morph or regional variant of Labeotropheus trewavasae. You might also see it listed as Labeotropheus trewavasae "Chilumba".
Appearance:
- As the name suggests, they are known for their vibrant rusty orange to deep red colouration, especially in males.
- Females can be a duller orange or yellow.
- They have a characteristic blunt, downward-facing mouth adapted for scraping algae from rocks.
- Males may develop a slight nuchal hump on their heads as they mature.
- They typically reach a size of 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) in the aquarium.
Tank Requirements:
- A minimum tank size of 70-200 liters (20-53 gallons) is recommended for a pair or a small group. For a larger colony (6 or more), a tank of 200 liters (53 gallons) or more is ideal.
- Provide plenty of rockwork to create caves and hiding places, mimicking their natural rocky habitat.
- A sandy substrate is preferred.
- Maintain a water temperature between 24-28°C (75-82°F) and a pH range of 7.5-8.5 (hard, alkaline water is essential).
- Strong filtration is crucial due to their waste production. Regular weekly water changes of 25-30% are necessary.
Temperament and Tank Mates:
- Chilumba Red Cichlids are considered semi-aggressive and can be territorial, especially towards their own kind.
- It's best to keep them in a group with more females than males (e.g., 1 male to 3-4 females) to reduce aggression towards females.
- They are best housed with other robust Mbuna species from Lake Malawi that have similar care requirements.
- Suitable tank mates include: Yellow Labs, Red Zebra Cichlids, Acei Cichlids, and smaller Malawi Haps.
- Avoid: Housing them with very peaceful or slow-moving fish, as they may be intimidated. Also, avoid overly aggressive African cichlids and South American cichlids.
Diet:
- Chilumba Red Cichlids are primarily herbivores in the wild, feeding on algae.
- In the aquarium, provide a high-vegetable-based diet. Offer spirulina flakes or pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables like spinach and zucchini.
- Supplement sparingly with meaty foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp, as a diet too high in protein can lead to Malawi Bloat.
- Foods with natural colour enhancers can help maintain their vibrant red coloration.
Breeding:
- Breeding is relatively easy. Males display brighter colours to attract females.
- They are maternal mouthbrooders. The female will carry the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth for about 3-4 weeks.
- Provide flat rocks or caves as potential spawning sites.
- Once the fry are released, they can be fed finely crushed spirulina flakes or baby brine shrimp.
