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Goliad Farms, LP | 8497 FM 622 Goliad, Texas 77963 |
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Cichlids |
Crytocara moorii Crytocara moorii is a cichlid from Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. (Click here for a general discussion of cichlids.) It is also known by the following names: Haplochromis moorii and Blue Dolphin. Our strain is from a commercial source. We acquired the strain in 2003.Size: Males often reach 25cm (10 in.). Females are considerably smaller. Description: Males are a pleasing sky blue over the body and fins. Mature males sport a large forehead reminiscent of the marine food fish, the dolphin fish. Females are also sky blue, but have a much reduced forehead.Environment: This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring pHs at near the higher end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers very hard water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F). Geographic Range: This fish hails Lake Malawi in eastern Africa.Temperament: This fish is not aggressive for a cichlid, but males can be quarrelsome among themselves. They are active fish, constantly interacting with other fish. It can be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with fish with similar behavior and requirements. Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding.Spawning: We maintain breeding colonies of this cichlid consisting of a single male with six to twenty females. This cichlid is a maternal mouth brooder. At 30°C (85°F), females carry eggs and fry for about 21 days. Broods are smaller than those of most cichlids, but can be as large as 40 fry for mature females. We do not strip eggs or fry, but allow the females to carry them to natural release. The fry are large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, etc. immediately. The fry require ample hiding places to survive in the presence of adults. In our system, fry are provided abundant cover and the adults are removed after four to six weeks to allow the fry to grow out. Additional Information:
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names: Additional Photos:
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locations: Page last modified December 27, 2007. |