Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha

Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha is a lesser-known Utaka from Lake Malawi. It is best kept alone or with some quieter species.

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Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha

The male Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha can grow to about 20 centimeters in length, while the female is slightly smaller, measuring around 17 centimeters. Males exhibit a vibrant blue color with a yellow or white edge on their dorsal fin and a reddish hue in their anal fin. In contrast, females have a more subdued gray-brown coloration.

The fish is somewhat shy but can hold its own in the aquarium. They prefer to hide among the plants, as they also use these areas, such as Vallisneria fields, for spawning in their natural habitat. They can be kept peacefully with other gentle species.

Synonym: Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus, tilapia oxyrhynchus

Origin

Lake Malawi, occurs throughout the lake.

The Aquarium

The minimum aquarium length for Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha is 180 centimeters. It is best to decorate with plenty of plants and some rocks.

Water parameters

Temperatuur: 23-25 Celsius.
PH: 7,5-8,5
GH: 12-16

Diet

In the lake, they consume the algae that grows on vallisneria. In the aquarium, spirulina should always be included in the menu. You can alternate it with artemia, mysis, krill, and granules.

Breeding Hemitilapia oxyrhyncha

The males build a nest between the plants on a cleared spot. The females are lured to the nest where they hide between the plants after mating.

Author

Coby

Copyright images

Coby

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Additional information

Family

Genus

Species

oxyrhyncha

Synonym

Tilapia oxyrhynchus

First described by

George Albert Boulenger

Character

Breeding behaviour

Diet

Origin

Country

, ,

ecosystem

,

Minimum length

17

Length maximum

20

Temperature minimum

22

Temperature maximum

26

pH minimum

7.5

pH maximum

8.5

GH minimum

12

GH max

16