Cichlid-Black Ear Callochromis

🔹 Species: Callochromis melanostigma

Common Name: Black Ear Callochromis

🔸 Description:

• Males display vibrant colors, often with metallic blue or reddish-orange bodies and a distinctive dark spot ("black ear") near the gill cover.

• Females are more subdued in coloration, usually silver or beige.

• Slender, torpedo-shaped body with long ventral fins.

🔸 Origin:

Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

🔸 Maximum Size:

12–14 cm (4.5–5.5 inches)

🔸 Temperament:

Semi-aggressive; territorial during breeding, but generally peaceful when housed with other Tanganyikan species of similar size.

🔸 Aquarium Requirements:

• Tank Size: Minimum 200 liters (55 gallons)

• Substrate: Fine sand (they love to sift through it)

• Décor: Rock piles for hiding and open sandy areas for digging/spawning

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)

  • pH: 7.8–9.0

  • Hardness: 10–20 dGH

🔸 Diet:

• Omnivorous: Accepts high-quality cichlid pellets, spirulina-based flakes, and frozen foods (like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp).

• Avoid feeding too much protein-rich food to prevent bloat.

🔸 Behavior & Tank Mates:

• Best kept in a species group or with other peaceful to semi-aggressive Tanganyikan cichlids like Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, or Altolamprologus.

• Males can be territorial—best to keep one male with several females.

🔸 Breeding:

• Maternal mouthbrooders.

• Females carry eggs and fry in their mouth for about 3–4 weeks.

• Provide flat rocks or open sand where courtship and spawning take place.