Are Malawi eye biters aggressive?

How long do Malawi eye-biter fish live?

Incubation is normally a 4 week process and the fry will be spat out when they are large enough to fend for themselves. The expected life span for Malawi eye-biter is 5-8 years. The aquarium should be set up with minimal ornaments. Malawi eye-biters prefer an open tank as they are a very fast, active fish.

Do Malawi eye-biters eat their prey?

Malawi Eye-Biters are well known for their propensity to bite or eat the eyes out of smaller fish species before consuming them tail first. Both habitats are a bit unusual as most fish simply swallow their prey head first and do not specifically attack the preys eyes.

What is the pH range of Malawi eye-biters?

Recommended pH range for the species: 7.6 – 8.6 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 9 – 19°N (160.71 – 339.29ppm) Recommended temperature: 23 – 28 °C (73.4 – 82.4°F) Malawi eye-biters are highly carnivorous. Dimidiochromis compressiceps will accept cichlid pellets, krill, mussels, and shrimp.

What is the lifespan of a Malawi fish?

Lake Malawi fish live an average of 7 to 10 years. The male is an almost metallic blue and sometimes green coloring, with an orange anal fin that has the typical egg pattern. The females are basically silver and the juveniles are light in color.

What kind of fish is Malawi eyebiter?

Malawi eyebiter. Toothed oral and pharyngeal jaws of the Malawi eyebiter. Malawi eyebiter (Dimidiochromis compressiceps) is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. This predatory cichlid is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa.

Can Malawi eyebiter live with cichlids?

The Malawi Eyebiter is best kept in groups of one male and several females. They will attack and kill any other males of the same species in the tank unless the tank is hundreds of gallons. Do not put this fish with smaller cichlids. They are natural hunters and will attack anything small enough to eat.

What is a good pH level for African cichlids?

P roper pH for freshwater aquarium groups like freshwater African Cichlids (from places such as Lake Malawi) is a higher pH in the range of 7.8 to 8.5. Many tropical community fish, such as guppies, prefer a pH range of 6.8 to 7.2.

What does the Malawi eyebiter eat?

The Malawi Eyebiter is an omnivore / piscivore with a large portion of their diet being small bony fish. They will kill and eat any fish that is smaller, and 1/2 its size for sure. It is not necessary to feed live feeder fish, which as with any cichlid will heighten aggression.

Can I keep a Malawi eyebiter with other fish?

The Eyebiter is best kept in groups of one male and several females. They will attack and kill any other males of the same species unless the tank has hundreds of gallons. They will eat well and are only a threat to fish smaller than themselves. No fry from any other species will make it to adulthood with a Malawi Eyebiter in the tank.

What is the life span of Lake Malawi?

Life span of a lake is generally about some 10,000 years, for the lake keep becoming shallower because of the soil from the rivers. However, Lake Malawi and other African Great Lakes have especially long history, and they are still becoming deeper. Lake Malawi is thought to be about 3,000,000 years old.

Why is Lake Malawi endangered?

Sadly, despite the rapidity at which cichlids evolve and the region’s status as a protected heritage site, Lake Malawi is suffering. Now, 1 in 10 fish in the lake are classified as endangered, with overfishing the greatest threat to its unique diversity and ecosystems.

Can Malawi eyebiter fish live with mbuna cichlids?

This fish is not considered to be a community fish. It is a predator but only moderately aggressive. As long as the tankmates are the same size or larger and not overly aggressive, they should be fine with this cichlid. However the Malawi Eyebiter is not friendly with Mbuna and will generally attack and kill the smaller Mbuna cichlids.

How big do Malwai eyebiter fish get?

The Malwai eyebiter is a very eye-catching cichlid, having an elongated head and flowy fins. These fish get pretty big, getting upward of 10 inches as adults. Because of their size and swimming needs, they need a minimum of 125-gallons to live comfortably.

What is a Malwai eyebiter?

The Malwai eyebiter is a very eye-catching cichlid, having an elongated head and flowy fins. These fish get pretty big, getting upward of 10 inches as adults.

What is the best water for African cichlids?

African cichlid ph and temperature are two of the most important things to pay attention to when housing these fish. When it comes to the pH level for these fish, they prefer their water to be fairly alkaline, with levels between 7.5 and 8.5 being the ideal. Do Cichlids Need A Heater?

What is Malawi eyebiter Dimidiochromis compressiceps?

The Malawi Eyebiter Dimidiochromis compressiceps was described by Boulenger in 1908. It occurs in the Africa rift lake area and are found in many areas of Lake Malawi, the upper Shire River, Lake Malombe, and Mozambique.

Can Malawi eye-biters eat live fish?

Malawi Eye-Biters can easily be weaned off of live fish for a variety of other dead meaty foods, which is generally safer and more cost effective. Fresh or frozen foods like silver sides, lance fish, mussels, prawns, cockle and other similar meaty items make excellent food choices.

What size tank does a Malawi eye-biter need?

Malawi Eye-Biter need to be house with larger species that will not be considered as a food source. A general rule of thumb is that Malawi Eye-Biter tank mates be at least six inches in length or just over half as long as an adult Malawi Eye-Biter.

What is the life span of a lake in Africa?

Life span of a lake is generally about some 10,000 years, for the lake keep becoming shallower because of the soil from the rivers. However, Lake Malawi and other African Great Lakes have especially long history, and they are still becoming deeper.

What is the biggest threat to Lake Malawi?

And overfishing isn’t the only threat to Lake Malawi’s native wonders. Pollution and agriculture are also damaging the lake’s unique habitats and biodiversity, while invasive predatory species like the Nile perch now pose a significant threat to the future of the lake’s endangered inhabitants.

Why is Blue Planet Aquarium in Malawi?

At Blue Planet Aquarium, we’ve long recognised the beauty and diversity of Lake Malawi, prompting us to create a special exhibit to showcase the lake’s spectacular and rare species.

Do eyebiter fish attack other fish?

The Eyebiter is best kept in groups of one male and several females. They will attack and kill any other males of the same species unless the tank has hundreds of gallons. They will eat well and are only a threat to fish smaller than themselves.

Are there matriarchal fish in Lake Malawi?

Although not uncommon, it’s rare to find matriarchal families in the animal kingdom, making your aquarium a specialty. Another fish found in the depths of Lake Malawi is the Bumblebee Cichlid. Unlike Peacock Cichlids, these fish are found in caves and have a bright yellow, black or tan color.

Is the Malawi eyebiter a predator or prey?

Another suggestion is that the Malawi eyebiter might rip out the eyes of other fishes so that it is easier to overcome the incapacitated prey. Dimidiochromis compressiceps may be a non-territorial open-water predator, but also an ambush predator.

What temperature do African cichlids need to live?

Check the temperature your African cichlids will need before you bring them home. Tropical fish need warm water that’s between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (23-28 Celsius).

What is a Malawi eye-biter?

The Malawi Eye-Biter is one of those fish species that has a well deserved common name that clearly illustrates its behavior. Malawi Eye-Biters are well known for their propensity to bite or eat the eyes out of smaller fish species before consuming them tail first.

Can Dimidiochromis compressiceps be kept together?

Dimidiochromis Compressiceps should be kept separate from any other member of the Dimidiochromisfamily since hybridization can and will happen in a closed environment like an aquarium. Be warned that Juveniles of these species are very hard to tell apart when buying them.