Pseudotropheus acei

Taxobox
name = Yellow-Tailed Acei.
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1

|A common Pseudotropheus sp. acei
image_caption = A male yellow-tailed acei
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Pseudotropheus"
genus_authority = Regan, 1922
binomial = "Pseudotropheus acei"

"Pseudotropheus acei" (also known as Yellow-tail acei) is a Mbuna from Lake Malawi that grows to around 7 inches in length. There are two different varieties found, the most common "Pseudotropheus acei" ("Msuli"), and the white-tail "Pseudotropheus acei" ("Ngara"). Like most Mbuna, it dwells in shallower waters, however it will sometimes go near the surface, which is very uncommon for Mbunas. It is a very common fish for fish-keepers. It gets its common name from its blue body and yellow tail.

Fish-keeping

These mbunas are omnivorous but prefer plants and algae in their diet. Like all mbunas they can develop the mbuna bloat which is similar to heart disease in humans. Bloat can be avoided by feeding it low fat foods. If they are to be fed staple, then any food made for African Cichlids will do. Most vegetable matter will work as well. These fish are possibly the most peaceful fish in the Mbuna family, and because of this it is not necessary a male-female ratio. "Pseudotropheus acei" is a maternal mouthbrooder, which means that females will incubate and hatch the eggs in her buchal pouch, and then continue to hold the fry until the yolk sacs have been consumed. A typical holding period for this Cichlid is three weeks, and the female will not eat during this time. Females can have around 50 fry per spawning, although this can greatly vary depending on her size and experience. Once the eggs are done incubating the female spits them out and they are left to fend for themselves. Their preferred water conditions are a pH of above 7.5 and a temperature of 78–82 °F (26–28 °C).

References

* [http://www.fishforums.net/content/Cichlids-African/170810/Yellow-Tail-Acei/ Tropical Fish Forums: Yellow Tail Acei]