Zue Island – Paralabidochromis Chromogynos

Common name: Zue Island

Scientific name: Paralabidochromis Chromogynos

Average Adult Fish Size: 11cm  /  4 ½ 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: They tend to be a very peaceful species with just a bit of female on female displays. They will flair their fins in a standoff but never seem to bite, liplock or cause any harm what-so-ever.

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

Water chemistry: pH 7.4 – 8.4

Feeding: They are an  insectivore/omnivore and do well on cichlid flakes and small pellets. Will readily accept frozen brine shrimp and do very well on a varied diet.

Sexing: The males have longer fins with more blue and red in them as well as three large egg spots. The females tend to be a bit more black and white, or yellow and brown and do not have the three large egg spots like the male has. There is very little size differentiation between the sexes.

Breeding: P. chromogynos is a substrate spawning species. Female gestation period is 18 days at which time the female will release her fry periodically scooping them into her mouth again and the first sign of danger. This behavior subsides after a couple weeks and the fry are permanently released to fend for themselves. Fry will readily accept finely crushed flake food or baby brine shrimp (bbs).

Additional Information: Males and females have a piebald (blotched or spotted) coloration pattern.