Haplochromis Red Pseudonigricans – Lithochromis Rufus

Common name: Haplochromis Red Pseudonigricans

Scientific name: Lithochromis Rufus

Adult Fish Size: Male: 11 cm  / 4 1/2  inches,  Female: 8.5 cm  /  3-1/2 inches

Place of Origin: Lake Victoria

Typical Tank setup: Rocky Lake Victoria

Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity: 40 gallon / 160 litre minimum for one male. An 80 gallon / 320 litre aquarium or larger is best when keeping 2 males and up to 6-8 females.

Compatibility: Males can be extremely aggressive to members of their own species and con-specifics. A lot of rock work is required for the females and sub-dominant males to survive.

Temperature: 24-28 Deg C / 76-82 Deg F

Water chemistry: pH 7.2 – 8.4

Feeding: Omnivore; mix of dry and frozen foods including flake, pellets, and brine shrimp.

Sexing: Males have brighter coloration and are slightly larger.

Breeding: Substrate spawner. Moothbrooder.

Additional Information: Extremely aggressive for their size. Fairly rare in the aquarium hobby.