Astatotilapia calliptera – Eastern Happy

Astatotilapia calliptera – Eastern Happy

Astatotilapia calliptera or Eastern Happy by its common name can be very aggressive towards conspecifics, especially males. It is recommended to keep one male with several females. A territory is made. The aquarium should be set up with stones and rocks that form caves. In the middle you should leave a lot of free swimming space.

It is often assumed that they are Lake Victorian cichlids. Their colour and the stripe through their eye make them look like other Lake Victoria cichlids. In the aquarium trade they they are often confused with Astatoreochromis alluaudi.

Synonyms: Chromis callipterus, Ctenochromis callipterus, Haplochromis callipterus, Tilapia calliptera, Haplochromis centropristoides, Neochromis simotes nyassae, Chromis subocularis.

Origin

Astatotilapia calliptera inhabits the shallow, planted areas of Lake Malawi and the rivers and creeks connected to the lake. You can find them over sandy bottoms with Vallisneria.

Diet

You should feed them live or frozen food. Dry food is accepted as well. A great part of the food should be vegetable.

Breeding Astatotilapia calliptera – Eastern Happy

Breeding Astatotilapia calliptera – Eastern Happy is not difficult. They are mouth brooders. When the eggs are laid the female quickly takes the eggs into her mouth. After collecting the eggs, she swims to the genital area of the male where the eggs are fertilized. After 14 days the young fishes leave the mouth of the mother. You can raise them with Artemia nauplii and crushed flakes.

Author

Jan Bukkems – Aquavisie

Copyright images

Kevin Bauman

Last Updated on 24 April 2022 by John