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Anomalochromis thomasi - African butterfly cichlidMagyarul / Hungarian
Anomalochromis thomasi - African butterfly cichlidAnomalochromis thomasi - African butterfly cichlidAnomalochromis thomasi - African butterfly cichlidAnomalochromis thomasi - African butterfly cichlid
  • Scientific name: Anomalochromis thomasi
  • Synonyms: Paratilapia thomasi, Hemichromis thomasi, Pelmatochromis thomasi
  • Common name: African butterfly cichlid
  • Group: Cichlids
  • Habitat: Africa; Liberia, Sierra Leone, Southeast Guinea
  • Size: 6-7 cm
  • Biotope: Found in small, wooded streams
  • Social behavior: A peaceful species which form pairs and are territorial. They do not burrow and form tight family groups. Recommended for a community tank.
  • Diet: Omnivorous, live food, occasional vegetable supplement and flakes.
  • Breeding: Quite easy
  • Tank: Minimum 75 litres.
  • Population: 1 pair for 80 litres
  • Decoration: Needs a heavily-planted tank with hiding places of rocks, roots and upturned pots. They use flat stones for spawning and enjoy open swimming areas.
  • Temperature: 24-26°C
  • pH: 6-7,5
  • Hardness: 8-10 NK°
  • Lifespan: 5 years

Description: The base coloration is yellow-brown to brown. The body is marked with five black bars that extend from the back to the mid-section of the body. The body has many rows of iridescent spots ranging in color from purple to blue to green to yellow. A black band extends from under the mouth, through the eye, where it stops near the forehead. The dorsal fin has a red edge with a blue line paralleling it. A dark spot is located on the gill cover. The iris of the eye is red. Wild-caught fish are common, captive-bred specimens are rare. It is difficult to distinguish between the sexes. Adult African butterfly cichlid females generally have more intense black markings and more rounded bodies, especially when ready to spawn.

For breeding, the African butterfly cichlid needs soft, slightly acid water 7-9° dGh and ph 6,5 at a temperature between 26-27°C. After a site is cleaned they spawn in the open on flat stones or plants depositing up to 500 eggs. The fry are kept in shallows on the bottom or paraded around the tank, guarded by both parents. The parents will only eat the eggs or larvae if the tank is too small. The eggs hatch in 3-5 days and the fry are moved to a previously-dug pit. The fry can be fed on Artemia nauplii.