#placidochromis

[inventoryking-blog]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 #aquarium #africancichlid #placidochromis #mdokawhitelips #fish #sss

[inventoryking-blog]

This dude is shining bright in that natural sunlight! Star Sapphire #tropicalfish #malawicichlid #malawicichlids #africancichlid #africancichlids #africancichlidtank #africancichlidtanks #africancichlidkeeper #africancichlidsofinstagram #hap #haps #hapnation #hapcichlid #hapcichlids #haplochromis #starsapphire #placidochromis #nofilter #fishporn #naturalsunlight

[inventoryking-blog]

Some mdoka white lip fry getting some blue sheen. #africancichlidkeepers #africancichlidtank #africancichlids #africancichlidkeepers #africancichlid #mdokawhitelips #placidochromis

[inventoryking-blog]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ie0Uwdf1mA)

[amateuraquatics-blog]

Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania"

The Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania" or "Star Sapphire" is absolutely one of my favourite Malawi cichlids. I aquired a large 3.5 year old male somewhat accidentally, but was lucky enough to later obtain four females (three unrelated!) My male is now a little over four years old and just starting to get his speckles.

My male, about 3 weeks ago

Star Sapphires are a peaceful large hap found in Lake Malawi. Like other Malawi cichlids they enjoy a water temperature of 78 - 82°F, a pH of 7.8 - 8.6, and hard water. They do get quite large, males up to 10" and require an aquarium of at very least 55 gallons, but most experts recommend even larger.  My current aquarium is 55 gallons, and these fish are one of the main reasons I can't wait to finish building our 250 gallon.

(Center) - a young female Star Sapphire

These fish are sexually dimorphic with the males displaying the blue speckled body and females generally are all blue when mature. The unique male coloration starts to show when the males are a few years old and takes roughly four years to complete.

My male, about 8 months ago.

These fish are also maternal mouthbrooders, holding fertilized eggs in their buccal cavities for a period lasting roughly three weeks, incubating and protecting the eggs.

My female, roughly 8 months ago.

If you have the space and the patience to wait for the colour to develop, I highly recommend these fish. They are quite easy to care for and extremely calm. Mine never pick on anything else in the tank! Even before the full colouration is complete, the Star Sapphire is still a handsome fish.

A fully "speckled" adult male