All fish / Cichlidae

Flameback

Pundamilia nyererei

Also known as flameback cichlid, nyererei, haplochromis nyererei, pundamilia nyererei, victorian flameback, nyerere's victoria cichlid, haplochromis flameback, flame back, ハプロクロミス・ニエレレイ, 火背, 尼雷尔朴丽鱼

Male Flamebacks have a striking red back and dorsal fin above yellow flanks with dark vertical bars and a black-edged face, while females are drab olive-yellow. This small Lake Victoria haplochromine is kept for its intense male colour and lively behaviour, and it is a classic study fish in research on speciation through female colour choice.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, or a crowded mixed Victorian group

Diet

Omnivore: zooplankton feeders, offer quality cichlid pellets and flakes, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Victoria (Tanzania, mainly rocky islands of the southern lake)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the male displays over a rocky territory and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Breeding is easy in a well-kept tank with several females per male.

Good to know

Males are very territorial and will harass rivals and females, so keep several females per male and plenty of rockwork. Avoid housing with other Victorian Haplochromis or Pundamilia, as they hybridise readily; many wild populations are threatened, so source pure-line stock.