Ventralis Featherfin Cichlid
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 273 litres
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Species profile
Transvestite Dwarf Cichlid
Nanochromis transvestitus
Common names: Transvestite Dwarf Cichlid
Recognized speciesAfrican Cichlids
Adult size
Up to 7 cm
Up to 7 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A small Congo cichlid with barred fins, named because females are the more colourful sex, with a red belly. Keep alone or in a small group in 55 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A small Congo cichlid with barred fins, named because females are the more colourful sex, with a red belly. It needs very soft water to breed and is not for beginners. Unlike most African cichlids, it needs soft, acidic water.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Males are larger and more colourful, with longer fins. Females turn bright yellow when guarding young in many species.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 110–170 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–75 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 55 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 55 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Heavily planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Use leaf litter, wood and small caves in a mature, planted tank, with gentle filtration. Each female needs a cave of her own.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A small, busy cichlid that stays near the bottom and shows real personality, especially when guarding young.
Often kept as a pair, or as one male with two or more females in a larger tank.
Territorial near the bottom, particularly females with young.
Best with small, peaceful fish that stay higher in the water, such as small tetras and pencilfish. Avoid other bottom-dwelling cichlids in smaller tanks. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Carnivore, Insectivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Small flake or micro pelletsA good staple. Feed small amounts that are eaten within a couple of minutes.
- Frozen or live daphnia and brine shrimpOffer a few times a week for colour and condition.
- Small bloodwormA rich treat rather than a daily food.
Prefers small live and frozen foods, and many also accept small pellets.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Difficult
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Natural habitat
- Blackwater, Lake, Rocky Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Beginner
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Nanochromis
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- African Cichlids, Cichlids, Fish
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
White Spotted Cichlid
Tropheus duboisi
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 110 litres
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
African Butterfly Cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 72 litres
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Blue Dolphin Cichlid
Cyrtocara moorii
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 217 litres
- Temperature
- 25–29 °C