Common Name:Bumble Bee Cichlid

Scientific Name:Metriaclima crabro

Family:Cichlidae

Origin:Lake Malawi, Africa

Diet:This fish is an Omnivore but needs more protein then most malawi cichlids. It must be fed a diet of dried, live and frozen foods, lettuce, boiled zuccini...ect. Mine like to eat bugs that fall into the tank.

Temperament: Bumble Bees are very agressive and should be kept with other mbuna of the same size and temperment. One male should be kept with several females.

Average Size:Can reach a size of 4-7 inches, 5" being most common

Gender: Dominate/breeding males turn a dark bluish black or brownish black while sub dominant males and females stay yellow with black/brown stripes. Juveniles are impossible to sex, all looking like females. Both sexes have egg spots.

Breeding: They are mouth brooders. They tend to spawn quite frequently. A large fish might hold up to 40 fry.

Perferred Water Conditions:74-82°F, pH 8.0

Care: Bumble Bees need A large tank (at least 65 gallons) with lots of rocks and caves. Java moss and Java fern are a good choice for live plants as they won't be eaten by the bumble bees. Weekly 20% water changes are important

Comments: In the wild, bumble bees feed on parasites off of bigger fish and will often steal eggs from catfish. Both males and females turn a darker color when robbing catfish of their eggs. When they've had their fill of eggs, they quickly turn back to their yellow color. This is to prevent the catfish from thinking they are the same fish that just ate it's eggs.

Author:Sandi Candy

Image Credit:Sandi Candy