Pelvicachromis
Encyclopedia
The genus Pelvicachromis includes a range of small (7.5 - 10 cm), brightly coloured cichlid
s which occur in tropical West Africa
and Central Africa
. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water (pH
5.0 - 7.0).
All species form monogamous pairs and use caves as spawning sites. Most are easily spawned in captivity.
residents. They are relatively peaceful cichlids which can be housed with other species in planted, heated tanks. They comprise part of the arbitrary group aquarists refer to as "dwarf cichlid
s". Dwarf cichlids are mainly found in Africa and South America.
They can be fed a variety of flake, frozen, and live foods. Pelvicachromis are cave-spawners and will lay their eggs in any cave-like structure such as a clay pot, PVC pipe, coconut shell, etc. The female will initiate the spawning, often displaying or vibrating in front of the male. The female will deposit 50-300 eggs in the cave and the pair will guard the eggs. The eggs will hatch in 3-8 days and become free swimming in 5-10 days. They are usually great parents and will care for their young very well.
There are many different color types depending on the streams from which they come from. There are yellow, blue, red morphs commonly found in the tropical fish
hobby.
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s which occur in tropical West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
and Central Africa
Central Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water (pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
5.0 - 7.0).
All species form monogamous pairs and use caves as spawning sites. Most are easily spawned in captivity.
Species
- Pelvicachromis humilis (SteindachnerFranz SteindachnerFranz Steindachner was an Austrian zoologist.- Work and career :Being interested in natural history, Steindachner took up the study of fossil fishes on the recommendation of his friend Eduard Suess...
, 1866). - Pelvicachromis pulcher (BoulengerGeorge Albert BoulengerGeorge Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
, 1901). - Pelvicachromis roloffi (Thys van den Audenaerde, 1968).
- Pelvicachromis rubrolabiatus Lamboj, 2004.
- Pelvicachromis signatus (Lamboj, 2004).
- Pelvicachromis subocellatus (Günther, 1872).
- Pelvicachromis taeniatusPelvicachromis taeniatusPelvicachromis taeniatus is a dwarf cichlid from West Africa that is occasionally kept as an aquarium fish. It hails from the soft-water rivers of West Africa as opposed to the East African rift lake cichlids such as the Mbuna. It is known to exist in a variety of geographically restricted...
(Trewavas, 1935).
In the aquarium
Pelvicachromis make ideal aquariumAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
residents. They are relatively peaceful cichlids which can be housed with other species in planted, heated tanks. They comprise part of the arbitrary group aquarists refer to as "dwarf cichlid
Dwarf cichlid
Dwarf cichlid is a term used by fishkeeping hobbyists to describe an arbitrary assemblage of small-sized fish from the family Cichlidae. Although the grouping is widely used in the aquarium industry and hobby, the grouping has no taxonomic or ecological basis and is poorly defined...
s". Dwarf cichlids are mainly found in Africa and South America.
There are many different color types depending on the streams from which they come from. There are yellow, blue, red morphs commonly found in the tropical fish
Tropical fish
Tropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both freshwater and salt water species.Tropical fish are popular as aquarium fish, due to their often bright coloration...
hobby.
The Importation of Pelvicachromis to the U.S.
Most of the pelvicachromis available at pet stores in the U.S. are bred by breeders in the U.S. It is pretty rare to get wild specimens imported in the United States. This is for a few reasons. . .- It’s expensive. Shipping charges are very expensive and typically a few thousand dollars per shipment. Energy prices impact the fees for shipping, packing and air cargo, etc.
- Communication can be very difficult with exporters. Language barriers, time zones and currency valuations many times add to the confusion.
- CustomsCustomsCustoms is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
paperwork is extensive and fees are involved. - Coordinating arrival times and flights is complicated.