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Etymology: subocellatus; sub(L.): lower, under. ocellatus(L.): spot.

Synonyms: Hemichromis subocellatus, Pelmatochromis subocellatus

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Perriformes Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids) Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae

First European import: Unknown. A large number of mixups, name changes, and the wrong use of the names of all Pelvicachromis species prevent an exact establishment of the date of the first import. The report from Baensch and Riehl that the first import of this species is from 1907 by W. Schroot, Hamburg, is at least doubtful, but probably wrong. The first accurate report of this species is by Meder, 1954, France.

Description: See picture. Probably the prettiest Pelvicachromis species available!

Care: Less aggressiv as it's cousin, Pelvicachromis pulcher, and even hardier. The fish can be kept in soft acidic, as well as hard and alkaline water. A densely planted tank, with a number of holes, and preferably a dark soil are necessary. Not too much light, some floating plants are beneficial. Regular waterchanges, and not too much current. Pelvicachromis subocellatus can be kept in community tanks, as well as in species tanks. The minimum tank size for these fish is around 80 cm. They are somewhat shy sometimes, and adding some dither fish can be beneficial.

Temperature: 22-26 °C

Feeding: Live and frozen food. Flake food is usually ignored!

Size: Up to 10 cm.

pH: 6.0-8.0

Breeding: Cavespawner. Up to 200 eggs, that will hatch in 2-3 days, and are cared for by both parents for more than a week. The fry are a bit sensitive, and not too easy to raise!!

Sexual dimorphism:Males more colorful, and larger.

Prices: Around 6-8€

Additional:

Picture references:Picture 1: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=8798&genusname=Pelvicachromis&speciesname=subocellatus