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Egyptian Mouthbrooder
Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor
📍 Africa
The Egyptian Mouthbrooder is a small, colorful African cichlid known for its vibrant red and blue coloration and interesting breeding behavior. These peaceful cichlids are excellent for community tanks and are relatively hardy, making them suitable for intermediate aquarists. They derive their common name from their mouthbrooding reproductive strategy, where females incubate eggs in their mouths.
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Care Guide
Diet
Egyptian Mouthbrooders are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality small pellets as a staple, supplemented with flakes and occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions 2-3 times daily, only what they can consume in a few minutes. Provide vegetable matter occasionally through spirulina-based foods.
Behavior
These cichlids are relatively peaceful and spend most of their time in the middle water column, though they may explore the bottom. Males display vibrant coloration, especially during breeding season, and may show mild territorial behavior near spawning sites. They are active swimmers and benefit from open swimming space combined with hiding spots.
Breeding
Egyptian Mouthbrooders are mouthbrooders, with females incubating eggs in their mouths for 10-14 days. Breeding is moderately easy in established tanks with proper conditioning and slightly warmer temperatures (26-28°C). Provide flat rocks or caves as spawning sites, and separate fry once they become free-swimming to prevent predation.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy different water zones
Bottom-dwelling catfish that don't compete for space or food
Small algae eaters that are peaceful and occupy bottom zones
May be eaten if too small; larger individuals generally safe
Fry and juveniles may be predated upon
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Increase temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use ich medication or salt treatment; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove sharp decorations, use antibacterial medication if severe
Mouth Fungus (Columnaris)
White or grayish patches around mouth and gills, difficulty feeding, lethargy
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, use antibacterial medication, maintain optimal temperature and reduce stress
Bloat (Malawi Bloat)
Swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, difficulty swimming, pale coloration
Perform large water changes, feed high-quality varied diet, avoid overfeeding, use medicated food if necessary
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - small pellets, flakes, and occasional live foods like brine shrimp and daphnia
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 7.5 cm (3 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-15 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)