Astatotilapia burtoni
 

77°F
Explanation of the symbols

68°F

Family : Cichlidae
Origin : East and Central Africa
Length : 12 cm - 5"
Min.length aquarium : 100 cm - 40"
Peaceful fish to other species.  Up to their own species they are very aggressive.  The male is polygamous, so you should keep one male with several females.  The aquarium should be set up with rocks that form caves with a sandy bottom and should be densely planted on the sides and background because they need hiding places.  A regular changing of the water is appreciated.

You should feed them live and vegetable food.  Animals that are bred in captivity eat dry food as well.

Breeding is easy.  The eggs are laid in a pit.  The female takes the eggs in the mouth immediately.  The eggs are fertilized by the male using the dummy-egg method.  After 16-20 days the young fishes leave the mouth of the mother for the first time and during 1 week they return when there is danger and during the night.  You can raise them with Artemia-nauplii and fine crushed dry food.

Photo Credit

Jan Bukkems

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