Pelvicachromis sacrimontis
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis was first described in 1977 by Joachim Paulo in the monthly German journal DSG-Info. In the article, Paulo described Pelvicachromis sacrimontis with a reference to Boulenger’s 1911 description of Pelvicachromis kribensis. Boulenger already noted that kribensis actually consisted of two species, while Pelvicachromis sacrimontis was called Pelvicachromis pulcher form B. or Pelvicachromis sp. sff. pulcher.
The name was initially not fully accepted; although well described, a type specimen was missing. The name was also labeled as a junior synonym because the name Pelvicachromis camerunensis was introduced in 1968 by Thys van den Audenaerde. Firstly, this was only a commercial name, and secondly, it was also very confusing since this species does not originate from Cameroon. The name Pelvicachromis sacrimontis was confirmed in 2012 by a redescription by Lamboj and Pichler in which type specimens were assigned.
The name “Pelvicachromis” can be divided into two parts: “Pelvica” is Latin for pelvis or belly and is combined with “chromis” an old word for fish. Sacrimontis can be broken down into two Latin words: “sacer” means holy, and “montis” means mountain. The name is a reference to the German biologist Walter Heiligenberg.
Description
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is an elongated, slender fish with a rounded tail fin. Males can reach a total length of about 10 centimeters; females remain smaller at 8 centimeters.
Two dark, almost black bands run horizontally across the body, the lower from the eye to halfway down the tail root, the second from the top of the head to the end of the dorsal fin. A yellow/white band separates the two dark bands. Two dark and two yellow/white bands are also between the eyes. The upper part of the eye is very noticeable, as it is gold/yellow. An iridescent blue stripe runs from the corner of the mouth to the gill cover. On the gill cover itself, a black spot is often edged with a blue iridescent edge.
The belly often shows a red color that can disappear if the fish becomes stressed. The pelvic and dorsal fins are trimmed with red and blue iridescent accents.
In males, three color variants can be distinguished; the females of these three variants show no differences:
- Yellow variant: Yellow to bluish cheeks, yellow throat, and belly except for the red patch on the belly.
- Green variant: Has the same color distribution as the yellow variant but with a greenish col
- Red Variant: The lower half of the head is bright red, including the lips. The throat and belly up to the anal fin are also red-colored.
The difference is quite evident in adults. The dorsal and anal fins are extended in males, making them appear to end in a point. In females, they are more rounded and shorter. Females lack the accents on the dorsal fin. This species distinguishes itself because the front part of the dorsal fin is almost entirely black. During mating, it is most clearly visible that the lower part of the black in the dorsal fin is really black, and the upper part then turns black/purple. During mating, the belly of females turns brightest red, after which it decreases somewhat in brightness.
Biotope
Not many details are known about the habitat of Pelvicachromis sacrimontis other than that they originate from the Southwest of Nigeria. However, they are offered in the trade mixed with Pelvicachromis pulcher. We may, therefore, assume that they inhabit the same habitat. Think of small, quietly flowing rivers where they search for food between branches, roots, leaves, and sediment.
Diet
In the wild, Pelvicachromis sacrimontis feeds on small food particles that they find among the sediment, roots and leaves. These particles are mainly vegetable with some animal food occasionally.
In the aquarium, the majority of the food must therefore be vegetable, such as spirulina flakes and, for example, granules for herbivores. Live or frozen food such as Daphnia and brine shrimp can be given occasionally. We advise not to give them red mosquito larvae, mysis or tubifex. The intestinal tract of herbivores is not very resistant to this, which can cause them to die.
The Aquarium
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is not a busy swimmer but quietly rummages over the bottom in search of small food particles. For a couple of Pelvicachromis sacrimontis, you do not need a large aquarium; a length of 65 centimeters by 40 centimeters is already sufficient. To keep a group of these colorful dwarf cichlids, the aquarium should be somewhat larger. Think of a minimum length of about 120 centimeters.
Preferably set up the aquarium as their natural habitat. Start with the finest filter sand on the bottom. Pelvicachromis sacrimontis searches for food particles between the sediment, so some dirt may collect on the bottom. The fine sand keeps the dirt on top instead of sinking between the gravel. The combination with pebbles gives a more natural look to the bank biotope. Furnish the aquarium with lots of wood, branches, leaves and plants. The light may be dimmed, or floating plants may be used.
Ensure there are caves scattered throughout the area where they can conceal themselves. Keep in mind that they will dig into the sand to deepen their burrow a bit further. Avoid combining them with other burrowing species, such as fish from the Apistogramma genus.
The water quality for Pelvicachromis sacrimontis must be impeccable. These fish are sensitive to poor water conditions, which can lead to dropsy—a disease characterized by abdominal swelling and raised scales. Unfortunately, once a fish has contracted this disease, it cannot be saved. The good news is that dropsy is not contagious; however, it is crucial to immediately change the water and clean the filter to prevent further issues.
To ensure the health of your fish, perform regular maintenance and keep the water’s pH levels between 5.0 and 8.0, with a temperature range of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. It is advisable to avoid introducing excessive current into the water. Additionally, monitor the temperature during the summer months to prevent it from rising too high, as high temperatures can make fish susceptible to bacterial infections in their eyes. This can lead to eye swelling, and once this occurs, the fish may not be salvageable. Therefore, maintain clean water and take measures to lower the temperature if necessary.
Preferably use aquarium-bred specimens; these are just as beautiful as wild-caught animals and put less pressure on the biotopes. The chance of infection with parasites is also much smaller with wild-caught animals. Many wild-caught fish carry parasites from their natural habitat.
Breeding
In a well-equipped aquarium, Pelvicachromis sacrimontis typically raises a number of young. A separate breeding aquarium is only necessary if you want to keep entire nests without other fish.
The female Pelvicachromis sacrimontis glues her eggs to the ceiling of the cave, where they are fertilized by the male. After laying the eggs, the female guards and fanning them within the cave while the male keeps watch outside. A few days later, the eggs hatch, and shortly after, the young fish begin to swim freely, guided and protected by both parents. The fry can find plenty of edible food in a sufficiently mature and moderately dirty aquarium among the debris on the bottom. Additionally, they consume the food provided to the parents.
The Pelvicachromis sacrimontis parents care for their young until they are about two months old. A nest can contain up to 120 eggs.
Conclusion
Overall, the Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is a vibrant and colorful species that will undoubtedly stand out in an aquarium. With proper care of the water quality, these resilient fish can thrive and often breed in a community tank. This species comes highly recommended for aquarists!
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Author
John de Lange
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