Sciaenochromis

Taxobox | name = "Sciaenochromis"

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image_caption ="Sciaenochromis fryeri"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Sciaenochromis"
genus_authority = Eccles & Trewavas, 1989
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Sciaenochromis" is a genus of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa. It includes at least 4 species. The species are popular in the aquarium hobby most notably "S. fryeri", known in the aquarium trade as the electric blue. All "Sciaenochromis" are piscivores (fish-eaters) and prey mainly upon the fry of mbuna and other Haplochromine cichlids.

pecies

* "Sciaenochromis ahli" (Trewavas, 1935).
* "Sciaenochromis benthicola" Konings, 1993.
* "Sciaenochromis fryeri" Konings, 1993.
* "Sciaenochromis psammophilus" Konings, 1993.

In the aquarium

Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi these cichlids are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. "Sciaenochromis" are best kept in aquariums with volumes greater than 210 l (55 gallon). Only the males of S. fryeri possess the impressive, electric-blue coloration, while females are dull grey, and generally similar to the females of other "Sciaenochromis and Aulonocara" species. This is an aggressive fish, and the minimum tank size of 210 litres is only acceptable with a trio of 1 male and 2 females. If you are planning on keeping more males, it is highly recommended to have a larger tank, 350 lt/100 gal being the minimum. Males can also display aggression towards similarly-coloured fish of other species, for example "Aulonocara" or "Placidochromis".

References

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