Pseudotropheus saulosi - Dwarf mbuna

Scientific name: Pseudotropheus saulosi
Common name: Dwarf mbuna
Group: Cichlids
Habitat: Lake Malawi
Size: 8-10 cm.
Biotope: Can be found at depths of 7-15 meters.
Social behavior: The males are territorial.
Diet: Ps. saulosi should be fed a spirulina based diet. They will graze on algae growing on rocks and glass, but not enough for algae control.
Breeding: Easy
Tank: Minimum 120 litres
Population: 1 male and 2-3 females for 200 litres
Decoration: Rocky and sandy zones.
Temperature: 25-26°C
pH: >5,6
Hardness: >7,5NK°

Description: The saulosi is considered a dwarf mbuna because it reaches a size of only 3-4 inches. Males are blue with black vertical bars, and females are a beautiful, deep yellow. Fry are born yellow and, as they near adulthood, will begin to show adult female and male colors.

Because Pseudotropheus saulosi is a dwarf mbuna it can be kept in tanks that are smaller than most required for mbuna. However, they can still be very territorial, and need a lot of swimming space. Depending on the size of the tank, you may only have one ‘dominant’ male who achieves the brilliant blue color. Other males may be a pale blue with bars visible, but the depth of color may change with the situation. If you have younger males in a tank with a dominant male, the younger ones will keep the female colors and blend in with the females. However, the dominant male will not be fooled. He will still chase the young males much harder than any of the females. They are best kept in groups of 6 or more, allowing the dominant male to spread out his aggression against several individuals.

Pseudotropheus saulosi is a maternal mouthbrooder. The male will select a breeding site, it will usually be on the sandy bottom. He may, or may not, dig a pit in the sand down to the aquarium bottom. This pit may be up against a large rock, or it may not. They don’t seem too finicky. Once his breeding site is picked out, and a female is ready to spawn, he will display by shaking in front of the female. (Note if a male is shaking in the same way in front of another male, he is displaying his dominance. The subdominant male will clamp his fins and lose his color as a sign of submission.) After displaying for the female, he will attempt to lead her back to his spawning site by swimming away, but shaking his tail in a manner only seen during spawning. Once the spawn is complete, the female will hold the eggs in her mouth until the fry are able to swim and forage for themselves. This is usually 13-18 days. The female will take food into her mouth during the brooding cycle, however, it may be to feed her fry as much as it is to feed herself. Brood sizes will usually be less than 20 fry, and 10-15 is most common.