Yellowfin Borleyi Cichlid

The Yellowfin Borleyi Cichlid, also known as Haplochromis barlowi, originates from the Southern part of Lake Malawi, Africa. The males have a blue body with striking yellow fins, and are one of the larger Copadichromis Cichlids reaching a maximum size of 7". When mature, the females remain brown to silver in color, and will be slightly smaller than the males.

A large aquarium with plenty of caves and hiding places is ideal for the Yellowfin Borleyi Cichlid. Caves can be formed from limestone or any other type of inert rock, as well as African Driftwood. An aragonite-based substrate is recommended in order to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity. They do not like bright lighting, and the aragonite should ideally be either mixed with or covered by darker gravel to reduce the amount of glare in the aquarium. The Yellowfin Borleyi Cichlid requires a substrate deep enough to burrow in during breeding time.

For best results in spawning, the males should be kept with at least three females. The female will spawn on a flat rock, and will take the unfertilized eggs into her mouth and follow closely behind the male until he releases the sperm to fertilize the eggs. The female will then incubate the eggs for approximately three weeks before releasing the fry. The fry can then be fed newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, or crushed flake food.

The Yellowfin Borleyi Cichlid feeds upon the sediment covered rocks and wood in nature, and is an omnivore. Provide a balanced diet of meaty flake, pellet and frozen foods, as well as dried seaweed and other plant based flake and pellet foods.

Approximate purchase size: 1" to 2-1/2"