Common name/s: Cobalt, Cobalt Blue.

Scientific name: Metriaclima Callainos

Family:Cichlidae

Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa

Maximum size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

Care: A perfect Cichlid for the beginner and the experienced alike, Like any other Malawi mbuna, they need a pH ranging from 7.8 to 8.4, They should be kept in a tank that is densely rocky due to their aggressive disposition. Nooks and caves created by rocks will provide ample hinding places and passageways. A tank 55G 4ft long would be ideal for 2 males with a 2/3 female ratio. I wouldnt advise a smaller tank than 4ft in length as the males can get to 6".

Feeding: This fish is herbivorous and should be fed a diet rich in vegetable matter. Most other Cichlid food as flakes, pellets will be readily excepted.

Sexing and breeding: There is almost no color difference between male and female. A mature male is sometimes a more vibrant blue than the female where the female remains a drab blue. Some females lack egg spots on the anal fin, but this is not the most accurate means of sexing males from females. The egg spots also tend to have a sharper, more defined color on the male. Males can reach up to 6-inches in length, while females will stay slightly smaller.
Breeding this fish is relitavly eay but males can be rather rough on unwilling females and if the correct ratios are not kept or sufficient hiding places are not provided, the females can become beaten and lifeless.

Comments: This lovely fish can be housed with alot of other Mbuna species so it is perfect for a mixed tank. I would advise a ratio of 1 male and 3 females.
There is also an Iceblue form of this fish aswell as the OB variety.
Tank Bred young male

Tank bred female

Tank Bred male


This post has been edited by clareuk: Mar 30 2007, 04:44 PM

A wild caught female "Mbenji"

A wild caught male "Mbenji"



This post has been edited by clareuk: Mar 30 2007, 04:46 PM