All fish / Cichlidae

Melanochromis melanopterus

Melanochromis melanopterus

Also known as black fin mbuna, blackfin melanochromis, melanochromis melanopterus

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A slender mbuna from rocky shores of Lake Malawi, males are dark blue to black with pale blue stripes while females are yellowish to brown with dark stripes. It is kept by Malawi cichlid enthusiasts who want a less common Melanochromis with striking male colour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with several females in a crowded mbuna community

Diet

Omnivore: algae and aufwuchs, spirulina flakes and pellets, occasional small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a well stocked mbuna tank with plenty of rockwork.

Good to know

Males are very territorial and intolerant of similar looking fish, so avoid keeping several males or other striped Melanochromis together in small tanks. Rarely seen in trade and can be confused with M. auratus or M. johannii.