When Malawi cichlids were first coming into the hobby, it seemed that all mbuna with vertical bars were named Pseudotropheus and all mbuna with horizontal stripes were named Melanochromis. The modern criteria for this genus narrow the species down to 15 described and two undescribed species. Many of these species have been mainstays in the hobby for many years. Chuck Rambo reviews them accompanied by Ad Konings’ lavish photos, and offers tips for keeping and breeding them in the aquarium.
Tropheus moorii Kasanga was first imported in the 1980s at an exciting time when new cichlids were coming from Lake Tanganyika on a regular basis. Tropheus are known for their wonderful colors and hobbyists love how interactive they are. Pam Chin fills us in on everything we need to know about this exciting variant.
The most distinctive characteristic of Amphilophus trimaculatus are the three ocellated black blotches present along the flank as the Latin species name, trimaculatus, indicates. The “Three-spot cichlid” (sometimes simply “Trimac”) is a good choice for cichlid aquarists who like large Central American cichlids. And we mean large! Juan Miguel Artigas Azas reports fully grown males at 13.5 inches (35 cm) in total length and 9.5 inch (25 cm) for females when kept in the aquarium. Juan fills us in on the natural history and aquarium husbandry of this spectacular big cichlid.
Speaking of “big”, the Green Chromide, Etroplus suratensis, one of only three species of Etropline cichlids found in India can reach lengths of 18 inches (46 cm) in its natural habitat and eight to twelve inches (20–30.5 cm) in the aquarium. It is found mainly in brackish water in coastal regions throughout Southern India and Sri Lanka. Jim Cumming shares his experiences maintaining and spawning this beautiful and unique species.
The last two decades have seen the discovery and description/naming of many new species in the Geophagus surinamensis complex. In my article, I share the taxonomical history of these interesting and beautiful South American Eartheaters. We now recognize 20 species in this complex, the most recent described in 2014, and with many more as yet undescribed species waiting to be added to the list. We are blessed with wonderful photos of many of these recent species by Oliver Lucanus, for which I thank him.
We close, as always with What’s New by Laif DeMason. We at Cichlid News wish you a great spring season! Enjoy your cichlids!
