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Rusty Cichlid

Iodotropheus sprengerae

Freshwater Lake Malawi, Africa Usually captive bred

A mild-mannered mbuna displaying a lovely copper-purple sheen across its body. It is far less aggressive than most rock-dwelling Malawi cichlids, making it ideal for beginners. Provide plenty of rockwork caves, hard alkaline water, and a high-fibre diet containing vegetable matter.

Also called: Lavender mbuna, Rusty cichlid.

10 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 5 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 10 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 200 L, at least 100 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 20 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 7.6 to 8.6 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 10 to 20, KH 8 to 14 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size At least 5, ideally 8 Kept alone or in small numbers it hides, fades or turns on tankmates.
Temperament Semi-aggressive Territorial: weak.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 8 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Rusty Cichlid is an omnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It leaves most plants alone. Give it plenty of cover. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand.

Tankmates

Works with

No close matches in the data. Check the pair tool.

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.