All fish / Cichlidae

Haplochromis aeneocolor

Haplochromis aeneocolor

Also known as aeneocolor haplochromis, copper haplochromis, haplochromis sp. lake george

This is a small cichlid from Lake George in Uganda. Breeding males show a metallic bronze to yellow green sheen with a reddish flush and dark bars, while females are drab silvery brown. Hobbyists who specialise in Lake Victoria basin haplochromines keep it to help conserve a little-known species.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with several females

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake George and the Kazinga Channel, Uganda

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around two to three weeks. In a well-kept tank it breeds without much trouble, as long as the male does not have too few females to chase.

Good to know

Males can be territorial and hard on females, so give plenty of rockwork and keep more females than males. Do not mix it with other Victorian haplochromines, because they can hybridise.