Nanochromis dimidiatus (Pellegrin, 1900)

Meaning of Name

.
First Description

Pellegrin 1900. (Nanochromis dimidiatus ).
Size

Males 8 cm & Females 6.5 cm
Sub-Genus

.
Group

.
Synonyms

.
Populations
  • Brazil
  • Peru
  • Guyana

Nanochromis dimidiatus.
Imported by Rare Cichlids.com 2004.
Photo: © 1994 Tetra-Press, Linke & Staeck

Nanochromis dimidiatus.
Imported by Rare Cichlids.com 2004.
Photo: © 1994 Tetra-Press, Linke & Staeck
Type Locality

Banghi, Ubanghi
Distribution

The frontier village of Banghi on the Ubangi River in the North of Zaire on the border with the Central African Republic. Banghi is situated southeast of Kouango northeast of Bangui.
Habitat

.
Distinguishing Characteristics Adult males have slight orange color and the dorsal and anal fins are pointed at their trailing edges. Furthermore, the caudal fin has a slightly lyreate shape to it. Adult females have a large roundish blotch, sometimes added by several small spots, in the posterior spines or anterior soft rays of the dorsal fin in the female as well as a few bright silverish white scales forming a small blotch in the anal region. The female furthermore carries a metallic, bright, chrome-yellow band in the spinous part of the dorsal fin.
History

Originally discovered by Pellegrin in 1900, with the type locality confirmed by G.H. Boulenger in 1915.
Breeding and Care

Diet:  The main thing to concern yourself with is to feed the fish a variety of foods so that the fish can obtain a balanced diet. There are commercially prepared flake and pellet foods as well as frozen foods especially made for dwarf cichlids. When available, hobbyists often feed live foods as well.
Breeding:   In order to be successful soft acidic water is a precondition. The water in the breeding tank has to be rich in oxygen and poor in bacteria and a slight current is advisable. Spawning takes place in caves, usually on a roof-like ceiling of a cave. One may think of a mother-father family in the case of this species. The female cares for and maintains the eggs and larvae, and both parents together guide and guard the fry thereafter. Even if only a single pair is kept in a tank and there appears to be perfect harmony amongst the partners, one has to be prepared for bad surprises. Not only that the males fight each other viciously, they also may attack and seriously hurt their "beloved" females if these are not willing or able to spawn. Thus, hiding places very often make the difference between survival and death of a female.
Remarks

Information used on this page gleaned from Cichlid from West Africa by Horst Linke & Wolfgang Staeck