Variabilichromis Moorii

Datasheet

Aquarium Setup

When setting up the aquarium for Variabilichromis Moorii, it is essential to create an environment that mimics its natural habitat in Lake Tanganyika. The tank should have a minimum capacity of 70 litres, with a preference for a length of at least 48”. Rock formations should be arranged to form caves, leaving small open water spaces in between. A sandy substrate is recommended, and the water hardness should be within the range of 8-25°dH, pH between 7.5-9.0, and temperature maintained between 23-27°C.

Behaviour

Variabilichromis Moorii is known for its relatively peaceful demeanor, even during spawning. They can coexist harmoniously with other small to medium-sized Tanganyikan cichlids in the aquarium as long as they occupy different territories. Suitable tankmates include Cyprichromis species, Julidochromis, and Altolamprologus if the tank is spacious enough to provide ample territories. However, they should not be housed with aggressive species like mbuna. Being monogamous, V. moorii forms lifelong bonds with their partners, exhibiting territorial behavior towards conspecifics. It is advised to keep only a single pair unless the tank is generously sized to accommodate multiple pairs.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Variabilichromis Moorii should mainly consist of live and frozen foods, with dried foods being fed less frequently. Incorporating some vegetable matter is crucial, such as high-quality spirulina flakes, to ensure a balanced diet. Due to their inclination towards filamentous algae, V. moorii is a species that appreciates a varied diet.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Breeding Variabilichromis Moorii is feasible in captivity, with the species being bi-parental cave spawners. It is recommended to acquire a group of young fish and let them pair off naturally. The pair will stay together for life, necessitating the removal of other fish from the tank once a pair forms. Spawning occurs discreetly in a cave, with the female laying eggs on the cave walls or roof. Identifying spawning can be challenging until the appearance of fry. The male guards the vicinity as the female tends to the eggs. The fry, which are guarded aggressively by the parents, can feed on brine shrimp nauplii from birth. Sexual dimorphism in V. moorii is subtle, with adult males developing longer pelvic fins and slightly elongated dorsal and anal fins compared to females.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Variabilichromis Moorii is exclusively found in the southern region of the lake. Inhabiting shallow waters around rocky shorelines, these cichlids thrive in environments with ample rock formations providing caves for shelter.