Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus

Scientific name: Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus

Common name: N/A

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 12 cm (3.94 - 4.72 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.2

Recommended water hardness: 2 - 12°N (35.71 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 22 - 25 °C (71.6 - 77°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: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus is a deep-bodied West-Central African cichlid from the middle and lower Congo River basin (DRC) and adjacent drainages in the Republic of the Congo and Gabon (e.g., Ogooué). It inhabits slow to moderately flowing rivers and floodplain waters with wood, roots and open patches of sand. Typical adult size is ~10–12 cm (max. ~11.6 cm SL recorded). Listed by the IUCN as Least Concern (2009 assessment).

Food & Feeding

An opportunistic omnivore leaning carnivorous. Use quality sinking cichlid pellets or granules as the staple and rotate frozen/live fare (mysis, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, finely chopped shrimp). Offer small portions 1–2× daily; include some plant matter (spirulina flakes, blanched greens) to round out the diet. Avoid fatty mammal/avian meats.

Sexing

Males grow slightly larger and develop extended soft dorsal and anal fins; females tend to be fuller-bodied when gravid and may show more abdominal color. Juveniles are hard to sex.

Breeding

Open-substrate spawner with biparental care. Provide a separate breeding tank with fine sand, flat stones/slate and shallow caves. Condition the pair on protein-rich foods. The pair cleans a site, lays adhesive eggs, and fans/guards them. At 26–27 °C eggs typically hatch in ~2–3 days; fry become free-swimming about a week post-spawn. Start with infusoria and then newly hatched brine shrimp. Maintain high oxygen and immaculate water.

Lifespan

Realistic aquarium lifespan is ~6–8 years with clean, stable water and a varied diet.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

• Footprint: Provide floor space and line-of-sight breaks; 90 cm/36″ (200–250 L) for a pair; more for communities.
• Water: pH 6.0–7.2, hardness ~2–12 °dH, temperature 22–25 °C. Keep nitrate low and oxygenation high.
• Décor: sand with scattered rocks/flat stones, driftwood roots and leaf litter; moderate flow; robust filtration.
• Maintenance: small, regular water changes (25–35% weekly) to stabilize chemistry and clarity.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Measured temperament with territorial streak—especially in pairs and at feeding. Keep as a pair or single in a community with similarly sized, robust, non-nippy species (larger tetras/barbs, peaceful riverine cichlids, armored catfish). Avoid bite-size fish and delicate nano species.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Lower to middle levels: a bottom-oriented forager (demersal) that patrols open sand around wood/rocks and inspects crevices. Provide open patrol lanes plus cover; dim or filtered light reduces skittishness.

Short Description

Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus is a medium, deep-bodied Congo Basin cichlid. Offer soft-to-moderately hard, slightly acidic–neutral water, sandy open areas with rock/wood, and a mixed carnivore-leaning diet. It’s a classic open-substrate spawner with attentive biparental care and moderate territoriality when breeding.

Q&A

• Where exactly is it from? Republic of the Congo (Kouilou–Niari, Loémé, Djoungou), Gabon (Ogooué), and the middle Congo basin in the DRC (e.g., Dja, Ruki, Kasai, Lake Tumba, Lomami, Itimbiri).
• Is it a cave or shell spawner? Documented as an open-substrate spawner (eggs on cleaned rock/sand) with biparental guarding.
• How big does it get? About 10–12 cm; FishBase lists max 11.6 cm SL.
• Peaceful? Generally calm but territorial when breeding; do not mix with very small or fin-nippy fish.

Pictures

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