Egyptian Mouthbrooder
Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor
Also known as: dwarf Egyptian mouth-brooder, Egyptian mouthbreeder
A century in the hobby, this tiny African cichlid broods its young in its own mouth.
About
The Egyptian mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor) has one of the longest histories of any cichlid in the aquarium hobby, having been bred in captivity for well over a hundred years. It comes from a wide stretch of East and Central Africa, including the Nile system, Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and a scattering of smaller swampy lakes and rivers in between. Males are noticeably more colorful than females, and while the species is small by cichlid standards, what it lacks in size it makes up for in attitude. Males are combative with one another, and the species can be pushy toward bottom-dwelling tankmates, so a single male kept with several females tends to work far better than multiple males in the same space. Surface-dwelling African tetras or hatchetfish make reasonable companions since they stay out of the cichlid's preferred territory. The real draw here is the breeding behavior: females carry fertilized eggs in their mouths for around ten days before releasing free-swimming fry, with no pair bond formed between the parents. It breeds readily across a range of conditions and is genuinely forgiving for newer cichlid keepers. Two subspecies exist with distinct coloration, and it is worth keeping them separate to avoid hybridization.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Egyptian Mouthbrooder
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Egyptian Mouthbrooder get?
- The Egyptian Mouthbrooder reaches about 2–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Egyptian Mouthbrooder need?
- A minimum of 19 gallons is recommended for the Egyptian Mouthbrooder.
- What water parameters does the Egyptian Mouthbrooder need?
- The Egyptian Mouthbrooder does best with a temperature of 70–82°F, a pH of 6.5–8, hardness around 5–20 dGH.
- Is the Egyptian Mouthbrooder aggressive?
- The Egyptian Mouthbrooder is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Egyptian Mouthbrooder eat?
- The Egyptian Mouthbrooder is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.