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Venustus Cichlid

Venustus Cichlid
Venustus Cichlid
-10 %
Venustus Cichlid
Venustus Cichlid

Common Name(s)    Venustus Cichlid, Venustus Hap, Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid, Kalingo
Scientific Name    Nimbochromis venustus
Origin    Lake Malawi, Southeast Africa
Temperature    73-82°F (23-28°C)
Size    12 inches (30.4 cm)
Minimum Tank Size    70 gallons (265 L)
Food & Diet    Carnivores with a high-protein diet
Lifespan    12 years
Water pH    7.5-8.8
Tank Mates    Nimbochromis livingstonii, Frontosa, Red Empress, Dimidiochromis compressiceps, and larger mbuna.
Breeding    Spawn on a flat surface such as stone or slate
Disease    It may be susceptible to Malawi bloat.

Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus), is an African Cichlid species that go by many names such as Venustus Hap, Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid, and Kalingo. They are easily identified by their unique pattern, which resembles the melanic markings of a giraffe, hence their nicknames. They are intelligent, using a special hunting technique known as thanatosis, where they submerge themselves entirely in the sand after spotting prey and will lie still, waiting for unsuspecting small fish to swim close. The smaller fish will then examine the ‘dead’ fish, which is when the Venustus Cichlid darts out of the sand to seize them. Belgian-British zoologist George Boulenger first described this species in 1908, although it was referred to as Haplochromis Venustus, recategorized 80 years later as Nimbochromis Venustus.

This freshwater species is native to Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River of Lake Malawi in Africa, which is the ninth largest lake in the world and the second deepest in Africa. Lake Malawi is home to almost 700 species of cichlids, the majority being Haplochromine. Venustus Cichlids frequent deeper parts of the lake with depths of up to 23 meters (75.5 feet). Venustus Cichlids are fascinating because they possess an additional set of pharyngeal teeth in their throat, which are really modified gill bones that work alongside their regular mandibular teeth.


Care

Venustus Cichlids are good for intermediate-level fish keepers because, despite their simple care needs, they are only semi-hardy. This moderately-aggressive species must have a tank suitable enough for them to swim around in, as they are very active fish. Their dietary needs are easily met, but they can easily become ill if their water conditions are anything but superb. Depending on the bioload, aquarists will need to change their water weekly (minimum 10% to 20%).


Temperature

Venustus Cichlids desire a tropical environment, with water temperatures ranging between 73-82°F (23-28°C). Fish keepers will benefit from using an aquarium heater to keep tabs on temperature levels to ensure their Venustus Cichlids’ ultimate comfort.


Water pH & Hardness

Venustus Cichlids must have premium water quality with a pH of 7.5 to 8.8. Their water must have a hardness between 10 to 15 dH, which will ensure they remain healthy long-term.


Size

Venustus Cichlids are one of the largest African cichlids, with wild Venustus Cichlids recorded to grow up to 12 inches (30.4 cm). However, in captivity, they will not exceed a length of 10 inches (25 cm). In order to ensure they reach their maximum length, they must be fed an adequate diet and have enough space to roam in their aquarium.


Growth Rate

Venustus Cichlid juveniles are around 2 inches long (5 cm), but they can grow from 4 to 6 inches (10.2 cm to 15.2 cm) within 3 months. Some fish keepers report that their fish reach their full adult size within 9 months, but this is entirely down to their husbandry.


Tank Size

Venustus Cichlid juveniles may be kept in a minimum 70 gallons (265 L) tank with 48″ x 18″ x 21” (122 L x 46 W x 53 H cm) dimensions, but fish keepers need to be aware of how quickly this species can grow. For mature Venustus Cichlids, a minimum tank of 125 gallons (473 L) is preferred, with the standard dimension being 72″ L x 18″ W x 21″ H (183 L x 46 W x 53 H cm), as this will give them enough space to move around and avoid increased aggression.


Food & Diet

Venustus Cichlids are categorized as carnivores or piscivores, meaning they will consume smaller fish in the wild. Aquarists must provide these fish with a high-protein diet. However, it is best to avoid feeding them live fish as they can carry bacterial or parasitic infections, which can harm Venustus Cichlids, who have no issues accepting dead/frozen food or vitamin-enriched pellets/flakes/granules. This species will eat a variety of prawns, lancefish, whitebait, earthworms, bloodworms, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, minnows, krill, mosquito larvae, cockle, and mussel meat. It is vital that Venustus Cichlids are provided a high-quality diet, as they may consequently lose their coloration and patterns or even develop Malawi bloat. Sometimes these fish may nibble on the leaves of plants and accept vegetable foods, but most of their meals must consist of meat.


Why is my Venustus Cichlid not eating?
Female adult Venustus Cichlids who are incubating a batch of eggs or housing fry in their mouth will not eat until the fry is released. It is important that females are fed a nutritious, meaty diet before they begin buccal incubation. If Venustus Cichlids suffer from ailments like Malawi bloat or constipation, they will refuse to eat or spit out food until this issue is addressed.


How often does Venustus Cichlid need to be fed?

Venustus Cichlids are eager eaters and opportunistic predators, so aquarists hoping to minimize their fish’s aggression should implement regular feeding into their schedule. Adult Venustus Cichlids will eat 3 to 4 times a day within 30 seconds.


Lifespan

Venustus Cichlids can live up to 12 years, with their average life span being 10 years in captivity – provided they are kept healthy.


Tank Mates

Venustus Cichlids are predatory and ambush anything smaller in size, even their own fry. They are best kept in a species-specific tank with other African Rift Lake Cichlids. However, more advanced fish keepers can house them alongside other species that are of similar size. Suitable tank mates include Nimbochromis livingstonii, Frontosa, Red Empress (Protomelas taeniolatus), Dimidiochromis compressiceps, and larger mbuna.


How to stock a Venustus Cichlid-only tank?

Male Venustus Cichlids can be aggressive toward one another. Therefore, hobbyists must stock a harem of a minimum of 3 to 6 females per male, especially when attempting to breed them.


Are Venustus Cichlid Aggressive?
Venustus Cichlid males have a moderately aggressive temperament and tend to do better in a species-specific tank with other cichlids, though aquarists must always exercise caution when introducing new fish to each other. Male Venustus Cichlids can display aggressive behavior towards one another in nature as they are rather solitary. Thus, fish keepers must purchase a large enough tank and enough female Venustus Cichlids to prevent clashes.

Tank Setup

Venustus Cichlids hail from the freshwater streams of Lake Malawi, an alkaline and mineralized environment which should be replicated in an aquarium. They require non-brackish water but are able to tolerate some salinity of up to 10% of an average saltwater tank. Above neutral freshwater (pH of 8) or brackish freshwater is ideal, with a soft sand substrate. Venustus Cichlids tend to dig in the sand and bury themselves, so rocks or wood ornaments should be placed at the bottom back of the tank, not directly on top of the substrate. This species needs ample space to swim around. Thus, the middle and bottom of the tank must accommodate this. Some plants can be added but must be anchored, as Venustus Cichlids will uproot them due to their constant digging, so hardier plants such as java fern (Leptochilus pteropus) are more suitable.


Breeding

Venustus Cichlids are a polygamous species, with males breeding a harem of females, where they then form a matriarchal family. They are difficult to spawn, and successful breeding depends on the sex ratio, with at least 3 to 6 females needed per male. They will not start breeding until they reach a length of 4 inches (10 cm) or 12 months of age (sometimes sooner). Venustus Cichlids prefer a spawning site consisting of a flat stone or slate that is away from strong water currents, which will affect the external fertilization of the eggs. Courtship commences when males act territorial, adopt gaudier coloration, and shake their fins. Females are mouth brooders, and once laying their eggs, the males fertilize them, with the females gathering them into their mouth for buccal incubation, before once again laying another batch. Female Venustus Cichlids may carry 60 to 120 eggs for 2 to 3 weeks, caring for the hatched fry by permitting them to feed on her egg sac and hide in her mouth for up to 10 days. After this, the fry is generally left on its own, and aquarists are recommended that they be removed from the community tank as male Venustus Cichlids will eat them.


Male and Female

Adult Venustus Cichlid males typically have a bright blue head, with a golden yellow body displaying a muted army/camo or giraffe pattern. Males also have egg spots/dummies in their anal fins, which consist of yellow circular markings surrounded by a darker black ring. Adult Venustus Cichlid females are smaller and muted in color with light beige scales and more intense patterning.


What does a male juvenile Venustus Cichlid look like?

Male juvenile Venustus Cichlids have not yet developed their unique blue facial colorings, and it can be difficult to distinguish their sex. Both males and females will possess the same nimbochromis pattern (resembling the universal army/camo or giraffe blotches) on their scales. Their fins will remain dark yellow, with their anal fin tapered. The distance between the end of the anal fin and the start of the tail fin is shorter compared to females. When they reach 2.5 to 3 inches, the males’ coloration around the throat and gill plates will not appear as yellow as the females’. Dimorphic characteristics may be more visible when Venustus Cichlids reach 3 to 4 inches.


Venustus Cichlid Color Change
Male Venustus Cichlid scales will intensify in color when it is not the spawning season but will regain their bright pigmentation and spots when they are no longer in the condition to breed. Interestingly enough, male Venustus Cichlids will not lose their coloration when housed with an additional male from the Nimbochromis genus. They are very much like peacocks in the sense that their beautiful colors are there to impress their female counterparts.


Venustus Cichlid Disease
African freshwater cichlids can commonly suffer from a disease known as Malawi bloat. The cause of this ailment is thought to originate from the protozoans, which inhabit the intestines of Venustus Cichlids that multiply when a fish is stressed due to inadequate water conditions and inferior food quality. Other causes range from Hexmitia (excessive parasitic diplomonads) or secondary bacterial infections. Malawi bloat may be spotted with Venustus Cichlids showing signs such as a bloated abdomen (dropsy), stringy white feces, lack of inactivity, loss of appetite, lifted scales, and rapid breathing. If fish keepers do not treat this with Metronidazole, the Malawi bloat will cause liver and kidney damage, which is terminal for Venustus Cichlids. Other diseases to watch out for include Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) and Dactylogyrus (Gill Flukes).


Size: 2"+

Note: All Size mentioned is approximate. Fish size may differ on dispatch.
** This fish is not door delivered. Please contact Live Chat to confirm Shipping destination availability.

Venustus Cichlid
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