Metriaclima lombardoi
Metriaclima lombardoi was only described by Burgers in 1977, but has quickly gained popularity since then. They belong to the Metriaclima genus, which is often referred to as Maylandia in English-speaking areas.
They are also commercially offered under a number of other names such as Pseudotropheus lombardoi, Maylandia lombardoi, Pseudotropheus kenyii or Pseudotropheus lilancinius.
Description
Unique to the Metriaclima lombardoi is the reverse coloration compared to other Mbuna. The males turn yellow while the females retain their blue striped appearance. When they are young they all are light blue with dark blue vertical stripes. Adult males turn a beautiful yellow color with sometimes light blue translucent fins. This translucent blue is mainly visible when other males are nearby or when they are courting females. At these times the brown bands in males also almost completely disappear. The vertical stripes are wider and brighter at the top than at the bottom where they fade slightly. The males usually have 1 large egg spot on the anal fin and sometimes 1 or 2 smaller ones next to it. Some females also have an egg spot. It can happen that females also show a yellow color, in some cases older females can even change color completely.
Like most Metriaclima, they are built quite high and only slightly compressed laterally. The males grow to about 12 centimeters, while the females remain somewhat smaller at 8 centimeters.
The males occupy a fairly large territory which they defend very fiercely and tenaciously.
Biotope
The distribution area of this species is not very large. They can be found in the transition zone from rocks to sand at depths of 2 to 30 meters near the Mbenji Islands and on Nkomo Reef on the south-west coast of lake Malawi. However, they are most common from about 10 meters to 25 meters depth.
There is also a known population at Namalenje Island, but it is said to have been introduced by humans.
Diet
In the wild, they graze on rocks where they search among the algae for the small crustaceans that live among them. As a result, they also ingest the algae itself. Vegetable food should not be missing from their diet. Spirulina flakes are very suitable for this. Live or frozen food is also popular. This food can be alternated with cichlid pellets or sticks. Don’t feed them fatty food too often. They have a tendency to become overweight. Under no circumstances give them tubifex or red mosquito larvae. Their intestines cannot withstand this.
The Aquarium
This Mbuna can be kept in an aquarium of 1 meter 50 wide. Make sure you only place 1 male with several females and that there are no other yellow colored species present. Metriaclima lombardoi is not only known for its beautiful colors and playful behavior, but also for its extreme aggression towards other males. If you want to place a second male, this is only possible in an aquarium larger than two meters in length with many hiding places.
The decoration of the aquarium can consist of a bottom of sand and rocks. Provide plenty of hiding places, so that the females and other fish can take shelter if the male is looking for trouble.
The Metriaclima lombardoi makes few demands on the water composition. However, they color best when the natural water values of Lake Malawi are approximated.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning
As with most Malawi cichlids, a special breeding aquarium is not necessary. Breeding is usually successful in a mixed tank. Make sure there are enough shelters where the females can hide with a mouth full of eggs so that they can escape the attention of the male. Breeding is not going well? Then try doing a large water change with cold water.
The Spawn
The male tries to impress the female with wide-spread fins. With trembling movements he seduces her to a spot in the sand where they mate using the egg spot method. The fertilized eggs are picked up by the female in her mouth. This also immediately ends male involvement with the offspring. The nests are of normal size for a Mbuna with about 25 to 60 eggs.
Raising the fry
The female incubates the eggs for about three weeks (it is a maternal mouthbrooder). After this, she releases the small fry that can immediately take care of themselves. After this they are no longer taken back into the mouth. If you have put the female aside you will see that the female does not eat for three weeks. She does not eat even in the first few hours after releasing the fry. However, remove her because she will eventually see the fry as food. Immediately after release, you can feed the fry with fine dust food and brine shrimp.
With enough good food and regular water changes, the young grow to about four centimeters in about three months. Until this time they all have the blue color of the females, but the first males are now starting to show their yellow color.
Conclusion
Despite its extreme aggression towards other males, it is still a very fun fish to keep. It is important to take this into account by meeting the requirements this species sets. They are not afraid of any fish, three times their size or not, and have even been known to attack the hand of the keeper. But don’t worry! Their little teeth can’t hurt us.
In short: a nice little playful fish, but please read the above instructions carefully first. Only recommended for the advanced Malawi holder.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Andy Gordon – twoofakind.info (original website no longer online)
Kevin Tien
