All fish / Cichlidae

Guenther's mouthbrooder

Chromidotilapia guntheri

Also known as gunther's mouthbrooder, guenther's cichlid, gunther's cichlid, guntheri, chromidotilapia guentheri, pelmatochromis guentheri, クロミドティラピア・グエンテリ, 冈瑟口孵鱼

A sturdy West African cichlid with a yellowish to olive body, a dark spot near the dorsal fin and red edging on the dorsal fin, with females often showing a pinkish belly when ready to spawn. It sifts through sand for food and is kept for its interesting pair behaviour and unusual way of brooding young.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

A single pair, or one fish

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

West Africa: coastal rivers from Sierra Leone and Liberia to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon

Breeding

A paternal or biparental mouthbrooder: the pair spawns on a flat surface and the male, often helped by the female, carries the eggs and fry in his mouth. Bonded pairs breed fairly readily in a roomy tank with soft sand and caves.

Good to know

Pairs become territorial and rough when breeding, so give plenty of space and avoid small, timid tankmates. Uses fine sand for sifting, so avoid sharp gravel.