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Paracyprichromis nigripinnis, Boulenger, 1901
"Blue Neon"

Origin: Lake Tanganjika, Chituta bay

Etymology: nigripinnis(L): with black spots

Synonyms: Paratilapia nigripinnis, Boulenger, 1901, Limnochromis nigripinnis, Boulenger, 1901, Cyprichromis nigripinnis, Boulenger, 1901

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), Perciformes, Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae

First European import: Unknown

Description:See picture

Care: These herring fish are best kept in schools of 6 or more fish in larger tanks, with only a single male. The males will defend a cave, while the females will be swimming around. Provide the fish with a lot of free swimming space, and some caves created with stones. Dark gravel and subdued light will increase the coloration of the fish, and reduce the shyness. The fish are susceptible to nitrates, frequent waterchanges are recommended.

Temperature: 23 - 25°C

Feeding: In nature the fish feed on microlife, but in aquaria they can be fed with artemia, spirulina, and frozen plankton

Size:Up to 11 cm

pH: 7.5-8.5

Breeding: Mouthbreeders, a pair will breed in the vicinity of a vertical stone. The female assumes a vertical position, and while the eggs sink, the male will fertilize them, after which the female will gather the 5-10 eggs in het mouth. The up to 25 fry can immediately be fed artemia after they are released. Spawning the fish is easier in groups of 6-12 fish, than in pairs.

Sexual dimorphism:Males are more colorful, and have filaments on the caudal fin.

Prices: Up to 30€

Additional:An albino form exists

Picture references:Picture 1: E. Naus

References:

Http://www.fishbase.org
http://www.gcas.org/articles/fish_paracyprichromis_nigripinnis