Scientific name: Pseudotropheus Sandraracinos.

Introduction: This fish is from Lake Malawi, the male is colourful with a yellow dorsal fin with a light blue streak up the top, while the female is a dull cream/yellow colour with a dull yellow fin. There aggression is mild but not over the top. They grow to around 5 inches and like lots of rocks so they can mark their territory and also feel safe.

Living conditions:
pH: 7.5-8.5
Water hardness: 10-20 dH
Temperature: 24-26 Degrees Celsius.
Water changes: 15% once a week
Food: Flakes, Granules, shrimps, mussels and frozen artemia, avoid bloodworms, this will cause digestive problems.
Compatibility: Keep with cichlids that can cope with their mild aggression.
Life expectancy: 8-10 years.
Comments: Very cheap and colorful fish.
Sexing: Males are much more colourful than the females.

Life in the aquarium: You need an aquarium 4 around 4 feet long because cichlids prefer length rather than height. You need many rocks to resemble the cichlids natural environment and maybe add some plants such as Anbubias to add a bit of colour. You can keep a trio 1 male 2 females in a 4 foot tank, and you will most likely get babies soon after. They prefer a sandy substrate but gravel is adequate. They are generally calm among other species.

Breeding: You will need 1 male and 2 females, feed them on live and frozen food beforehand, this will get them stimulated, the male will then choose and a female and spawn with her. The male will show off and get noticed and the female will deposit the eggs on a rock or slate. The male will then fertilize the eggs. The male will not form a bond with the female and will not take care of her after this has taken place. It is a good idea to have 2 or 3 females in the tank so if you leave the female in the tank the agression will be spread, and will not always be on her. It is a good idea to move her into a sepeate tank so she will no get harassed, she will take 3 weeks to 3 and a half weeks to release the babies. While they are in her mouth she tumbles them. She will be exhausted after not eating for so long, so feed her after she has released the fry, and once she is healthy release her back into the main tank