All fish / Cichlidae

Rusty Cichlid

Iodotropheus sprengerae

Also known as rusty cichlid, lavender mbuna, rusty mbuna, iodotropheus sprengeri, sprengers mbuna, ラスティー・シクリッド, 锈色慈鲷

A small mbuna with a rusty orange-brown body washed with lavender or bluish purple, giving it a soft, unusual colour among Malawi cichlids. It is one of the milder mbuna, making it a popular choice for rocky Lake Malawi set-ups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, in a mbuna community

Diet

Omnivore: algae-based flakes and pellets, spirulina, vegetable matter, small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Chinyamwezi and Chinyankhwazi islands, Malawi)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three to four weeks. It breeds readily in captivity and is considered one of the easier mbuna to spawn.

Good to know

Although calmer than most mbuna it still defends territory, so provide plenty of rockwork and avoid keeping it with soft-water or timid fish. Feed a mainly plant-based diet, as rich protein foods can cause Malawi bloat.