Rusty Cichlid Care Guide
Iodotropheus sprengerae
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Bioload Score
6000
- Max Size
- 10 cm / 4"
- Temperature
- 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH Range
- 7.6 – 8.6
- Min Tank Size
- 200L (53 gal)
- Min Group Size
- 6 fish
- Tank Level
- Mid-Top
- Origin
- Africa
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding Difficulty
- Easy
Diet
Primarily herbivorous, grazing algae and aufwuchs, with vegetable-based foods and occasional protein-rich foods.
Community Compatibility
Suitable tankmates include similarly sized, robust Lake Malawi mbuna such as Yellow Labs, Maingano and other relatively peaceful mbuna.
Good to Know
The Rusty Cichlid is one of the more distinctive Lake Malawi mbuna, with its unusual lavender-to-rust coloration giving rise to both its common name and the name Iodotropheus.
Gender Differences
Males are usually more intensely violet or blue-grey with clearer egg spots on the anal fin, while females tend to remain browner or more uniformly rusty in colour.
About the Rusty Cichlid
The Rusty Cichlid, Iodotropheus sprengerae, is a compact Lake Malawi mbuna admired for its unusual blend of rusty orange, mauve, lavender and blue-grey tones. Unlike many vividly striped mbuna, it often has a softer, more subtly shaded appearance, although mature males can become especially colourful.This species is active and alert, spending much of its time moving among rocks and investigating surfaces for edible growth. It is territorial, as expected of a mbuna, but is generally considered less belligerent than many other members of the group, making it one of the more approachable Lake Malawi cichlids for a suitable mbuna community.Rusty Cichlids are native to rocky habitats in Lake Malawi, particularly around Boadzulu Island and nearby areas in the lake’s southeastern region. Their natural environment consists of stone-strewn shorelines and underwater rockwork, where they graze aufwuchs and shelter from larger fish.Like other mbuna, Iodotropheus sprengerae is a maternal mouthbrooder: after spawning, the female carries the eggs and developing fry in her mouth until they are sufficiently developed to be released. The species was described in the 1970s and remains a popular aquarium representative of Lake Malawi’s remarkably diverse cichlid fauna.
Stock Rusty Cichlid in Your Tank
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