East coast gray - Ptychochromis grandidieri

Scientific name: Ptychochromis grandidieri

Common name: East coast gray

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 21 - 24 cm (8.27 - 9.45 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5.5 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 3 - 15°N (53.57 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 21 - 26 °C (69.8 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

A very easy fish to feed, East coast grays will accept quality flake and pellets. Try to give them pellets with a high vegetable content.

Origin

Africa; East coast gray is endemic to Madagascar.

Sexing

There are no visible differences between the sexes.

Breeding

Ptychochromis grandidieri are substrate spawners; supply them with flat rocks or slate to act as spawning sites. The chosen site will be cleaned by the parents prior to the eggs being laid. Once laid, the eggs will be guarded by the parents and they should hatch after four days. A few days later the fry will be free swimming and are capable of digesting newly hatched brine shrimp. They are slow growers and take months to mature.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Ptychochromis grandidieri is 5-8 years.

Short description

East coast grays are very prone to Ich, because of this; many keepers add salt to their water. They are classed as semi-aggressive but they are a good species for someone new to cichlid keeping.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.