Large-eyed Mouthbrooder – Callochromis Macrops

Common name: Large-eyed Mouthbrooder

Scientific name: Callochromis Macrops

Average Adult Fish Size: 15cm / 5Inches

Place of Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Typical Tank setup: Open sandy areas are vital for this species along with spares rock structures will help provide a natural habitat for this fish.

Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity: 250 Litres

Compatibility: This species is best kept singly with other Lake Tanganyika species or as species only set up in large aquariums.

Temperature: 24-27 Deg C / 75-81 Deg F

Water chemistry:  pH 8-9.5

Feeding: Omnivore – Can be fed dried and frozen foods as well as flakes or pellets specially made for Lake Tanganyika species.

Sexing: Males tend to be a larger than females and much more colourful.

Breeding: Bathybates Fasciatus are maternal mouthbrooders like many of the African Cichlids. The male will entice a mate and as the female lays her eggs he will fertilize them. The process continues till all the eggs are fertilized and the female holds them in her mouth for 3-4 weeks during which time she does not eat.

Additional Information: A truly stunning fish from which provides a unique dimension to the Tanganyika set up being that it’s a sand dweller. They can filter feed from the substrate too although this behavior can be observed in other sand dwelling African Cichlids. The males grow to a good size and display colours in the range of orange, blue, yellow and sometimes red but perhaps the most recognizable feature on the Callochromis Macrops are the large eyes which are also very colourful! Ideal tank mates are featherfins and other sand sifting species from Lake Tanganyika.