Chilumba Red

Chilumba Red: A Vibrant African Cichlid for Your Aquarium

The Chilumba Red, also known as the Red Trewavasae (Labeotropheus trewavasae chilumba), is a stunning freshwater fish native to the rocky shores of Lake Malawi in Africa. Renowned for its unique rusty orange coloration, this active cichlid is a popular choice for aquarists seeking a lively addition to their tank.

Scientific Name: Labeotropheus trewavasae chilumba

Water Quality:

• Prefers hard, alkaline water with a high mineral content.
• Mimic their natural habitat by using a good quality Malawi Rift Lake cichlid specific pre-mixed salt to maintain proper water chemistry.

Water Parameters:

• pH level: 7.5 – 8.5 (slightly alkaline)
• GH level: 10 – 20 dGH (high)
• KH level: 8 – 12 dKH (high)

Feeding:

• Omnivorous with a preference for algae.
• Offer a high-quality flake or pellet food formulated for African cichlids as their staple diet.
• Supplement with occasional live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or spirulina flakes for variety.

Tank Mates:

• Can be territorial towards their own kind, especially males.
• Maintain a ratio of 3-4 females to 1 male to help disperse aggression.
• Ideal tank mates include other peaceful Mbuna cichlids of similar size and temperament.
• Avoid housing them with smaller or more docile fish species.

Substrates and Tank Decorations:

• Provide a rocky environment with plenty of hiding places using rocks and caves.
• Sand substrate is ideal for sifting and bottom feeding.
• Avoid using sharp decorations that could injure the fish.

Suitable Plants:

• Due to their herbivorous tendencies, Chilumba Reds may nibble on softer plants.
• Choose hardy aquarium plants that can withstand browsing, such as Anubias or Vallisneria.

Sexing and Breeding:

• Males exhibit a more vibrant orange coloration and develop a prominent nuchal hump on their heads as they mature.
• Females are typically a duller orange or yellow.
• Chilumba Reds are mouthbrooders, with females carrying fertilized eggs in their mouths until they hatch.

Maximum Size and Longevity:

• Grow to a maximum size of around 10 cm (4 inches) in length.
• With proper care, they can live for 5-8 years in an aquarium environment.

Behavior:

• Active and social fish that enjoy swimming in mid-water levels.
• Can be territorial, particularly towards their own species.
• Establish a hierarchy within the tank, with dominant males displaying for females.

Things to Consider Before Buying:

• Their territorial nature requires a properly sized tank with enough hiding places to minimize aggression.
• Their diet needs a good balance of algae and other foods to maintain optimal health.
• Regular water changes are crucial to maintain good water quality in a hard water environment.

General Information:

• Relatively easy to care for compared to other Mbuna cichlids.
• Suitable for experienced beginner aquarists looking for a lively and colorful fish.

Fun Fact:

The downward facing mouth of the Chilumba Red allows them to graze on algae growing on rocks in the strong currents of Lake Malawi without being swept away.