Placidochromis electra
Placidochromis electra was first described in Tropical Fish Hobbyist in the April 1979 issue and described by Warren E. Burgess as Haplochromis electra on pages 91-94.
This species is also commercially known as: “Haplochromis Jahni”, “Deep Water Haplochromis”
Synonyms: Haplochromis electra, Cyrtocara electra.
Description
The males of Placidochromis electra grow to a maximum of about 17 cm; the females up to about 13 cm.
Body shape
Relatively high body that is strongly compressed laterally.
Color and markings
The color pattern, as with many related species, can differ depending on the age and mood of the fish. However, a feature that is clearly evident in all of them is two dark bands; the first from the top of the eye to the corner of the mouth, the second just behind the gill cover on the body. Depending on the mood, the ground color of male animals varies from silver gray to radiant sky blue or turquoise blue. In addition to the two above-mentioned transverse bands, five to six less distinct bands occur on the body, which decrease in intensity towards the back. Females remain silver-gray with at most a blue sheen on the flanks. The ventral and anal fin are predominantly black, and the dorsal fin is bluish with a partial black submarginal band and a yellow-orange margin.
Sexual dimorphism
Males can usually be recognized by their brilliant blue plumage, but scared or intimidated males may want to imitate the female’s plumage. Furthermore, the females also lag in length.
Origin
Endemic species of Lake Malawi. The fish on which the first species description took place came from Likoma Island. They are usually found at depths between 20 and 30 meters; the reason why in America the species was initially also called “Deep-Water-Haplochromis”. Meanwhile, small populations have also been observed at Fort Maguire, along the coasts of Mozambique and north of Nkhata Bay. These populations are very dark in color and lack the light blue of the Likoma population.
Breeding
Maternal mouth-brooder.
Diet
Placidochromis electra is not a picky eater in the aquarium. Live, frozen and dry food is accepted without any problems. In its natural habitat, the species is regularly found among large Lethrinops species, which dive with their heads into the sand to dig up food, from which Placidochromis electra gratefully benefits.
Placidochromis electra is a real opportunistic eater there, instead of diving into the sand and sifting out food, it often follows other species such as Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis or schools of Lethrinops. The clouds of sand thrown up by these species attract the Placidochromis electra like a magnet.
The Aquarium
Preferably a spacious aquarium with some hiding places. This certainly does not have to imitate a rock biotope, as sufficient swimming space and a sandy bottom are preferable. Plants are left alone in the aquarium – they apparently even increase the color splendor of the animals – although they are probably rather scarce in the natural biotope.
Video
Author
Walter Deproost
Copyright images
Wimmels
J. de Lange
