Data sheet magnificent pygmy mouthbrooder
German name:
Superb dwarf mouthbrooder also called Congo dwarf mouthbrooder or Nichols dwarf mouthbrooder
Scientific name:
Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi
Origin:
Africa – Congo
Size:
6-8 cm
Aquarium
Length:
80cm x 50cm
Contents:
from 100 liters
water values
Temperature:
25-27°C
pH:
6:5-7
GH:
5
CH:
3
Behave
Area:
below to medium
Lining:
Live, frozen and dry food, prefers variety
Behave:
aggressive when there are few hiding places (caves, plants,..);
good to socialize with other species
Number:
3 (1 male, 2 females)
Difficulty level:
Beginner Dave Hallam, Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi female, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keeping of magnificent pygmy mouth breeders
The aggressiveness of the magnificent pygmy mouthbrooder, Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi, depends very much on the space available, the setup and the other stock in the aquarium. In an aquarium with many hiding places, caves and dense planting, the aggressiveness of Pseudocrenilabrus species such as P. multicolor, philander, dispersus and nicolsi is kept within limits. They can then be easily socialized with other species.
1 male should be kept with 2 females. Breeding females are then not driven so hard. 2 males can be kept with 4 females in an 80 cm tank. Both males then form their own territory. The males threaten each other, but no serious fights ensue. In such a small aquarium, however, no offspring can survive.
Pseudocrenilabrus species are excellent birth controllers in community tanks with livebearers.
The Pseudocrenilabrus species are good beginner fish for aquarists who want to deal with perch.
Example aquarium 1.20 meters long:
- A pair of Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi
- A pair of Pelvicachromis taeniatus
- 1 male and 2 females Colisa lalia
- Ancistrus dolicopterus
Suitable water values:
In this aquarium both the Pelvicachromis and the Nicolsi gave birth regularly. Because the other pair ate the young, no young survived in the aquarium.
Because Pelvicachromis are cave breeders and Nicolsi are mouth breeders, the two species did not get into each other’s enclosures directly.
The pool was clearly understaffed and heavily planted. There were some caves and hiding places. In this tank, the Nicolsi did not behave aggressively, but rather peacefully.
Magnificent dwarf mouthbrooders eat live, frozen and dry food. A varied diet and plenty of water changes are important. All Pseudocrenilabrus species appreciate nitrate values around 0 and a pH value in the neutral range.
Instructions for rearing
Depending on the temperature, the eggs are carried in the mouth for 3 to 4 weeks. If the female has enough space to avoid the male, there is no need to transfer the female to a breeding tank.
If as many young as possible are to be raised, the female should be placed in a breeding tank. A tank measuring 50 x 40 x 30 centimeters is suitable as a rearing tank. Gravel is suitable as soil. Some plants should be used.
The female is transferred to the rearing tank with the larvae in her mouth, i.e. before the young swim freely. As soon as the young are let out of the mouth for the first time, powdered food and artemia nauplii can be fed.
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In the early days, the mother stays with the young because she always puts the young in her mouth when they are disturbed. The female is put back into the community tank after about a week or when the young no longer fit in the mother’s mouth.
The young can easily be raised with Liquifry, Mikromin and Artemia nauplii. 50% water change three times a week.
Breeding animals from dealers are often siblings. Despite the best feeding, the offspring remain smaller and the colors paler. These degeneration phenomena can only be prevented if the animals come from really foreign lines. The F1 generation is then often more beautiful than the parents.