Nimbochromis linni

Nimbochromis linni

Like the other Nimbochromis species, the linni is a real hunter and is found throughout Lake Malawi. The males that are ready to mate develop a green-blue metallic sheen over their entire body with a bright blue spot on their gills. Under these breeding colors, the spotting pattern remains clearly visible in all males.

The breeding reports do not agree very much with each other about the numbers of eggs. Numbers from a maximum of 20 to 200 are mentioned. Let’s just say that typically 20 to 30 eggs are produced. As with most Malawi cichlids, the egg spot method is used for spawning. The eggs hatch after 21-25 days. The young can be fed directly with finely crushed flakes or granules. They also like to eat fresh brine shrimp. After hatching, the young can hide in the female’s mouth for another one to two weeks if danger threatens. They also retreat there at night.

It is clear that this large hunter also needs a large aquarium. In order to escape the attention of the male, there must be sufficient hiding places for the females in the form of sufficient rocks and, if possible, some strong plants such as Valisneria.

The hunting technique of the Nimbochromis linni is quite simple. It presses its flank against a rock with its beak close to a gap between the rocks. When a young cichlid swims through it, it extends its mouth, sucking the young one in. Linnis have been seen doing this upright, but also lying flat on the ground and even upside down to take the best possible position in relation to the environment and prey.

Video

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Wim Breukink – Wimmels.com