Hampsochromis

Champsochromis, also known as Trout Cichlid, scientific name Champsochromis caeruleus, belongs to the Cichlidae (Cichlid) family. Endemic to Lake Nyasa (formerly Malawi), located in the rift valley in the eastern part of the African continent on the border between the states of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.

The lake is a deep depression filled with water in rocks with sandbanks. Aquatic vegetation is represented by a limited number of species. Water parameters have high pH and KH values.

The fish lives all over the lake, preferring large free spaces of open water.

Description

Adult individuals reach a length of up to 32 cm. The fish has a strong, slender body with large dorsal and anal fins, shifted closer to the tail. This arrangement allows you to make rapid acceleration in pursuit of prey.

Males are larger and more colorful. A blue color with a metallic sheen prevails. Red-orange specks may appear on the body and on the fins, which are most noticeable during the mating season.

The females look different. They are smaller in size and painted in solid gray colors. The fins are short.

Behavior and Compatibility

Humpsochromis in nature is a predator. However, it is not aggressive and is quite peaceful towards fish large enough to fit in its mouth. Thus, it can be combined with many calm large species that can live in alkaline water. For example, with another predator Frontosa from the neighboring Lake Tanganyika.

Males exhibit territorial behavior, so only one male should be kept in one aquarium along with one or more females.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 400 liters.
• Temperature – 24-27°C
• Value pH — 7.5–8.5
• Water hardness – medium to high hardness (10-30 dGH)
• Substrate type – sand or gravel
• Lighting – subdued
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement is weak
• The size of the fish is up to 32 cm.
• Food – fish meat, shrimp, mussels
• Temperament – conditionally peaceful, can eat small fish
• Keeping in a pair or harem type with one male and several females

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The optimal size of the aquarium for one pair of fish starts from 400 liters. The decor is simple. For Trout Cichlids, nothing is required other than free swimming areas. Decoration may consist of a sandy substrate and a heap of stones at the bottom.

For long-term maintenance, maintaining a stable water composition with high pH and KH values, which are characteristic of the lake, is of key importance.

Features of the diet can affect water parameters. Waste products and uneaten food residues in the process of decomposition acidify the water, thereby shifting the pH value. In addition, without proper care, there is a high probability of accumulation of dangerous compounds that occur during the course of the nitrogen cycle, which are most toxic in alkaline water.

To avoid deterioration of water quality, the aquarium should be equipped with a productive filtration system and weekly replace part of the water with fresh water, combined with cleaning the substrate from accumulated waste.

Food

In nature, Malawian sardines (Engraulicypris sardella) serve as the basis of the diet. In aquariums, they can be accustomed to alternative foods, so there is no need to feed live fish.

It is permissible to feed the meat of fish, shrimp, mussels. As a supplement, dry food is used as a source of minerals and vitamins.