Annectens is a mouthbrooding cichlid from Lake Malawi, Africa.
Annectens is a large and active fish. Males get up to about 22cm while females stay about 3cm or more smaller. The overall base colour of the fish is a grey-blue. Dominant males have a steep cranial profile, a blue head and a horizontal stripe which is overlayed (usually) by blue sheen. Some irridescent scales may appear on the upper flank. The caudal fin is usually black and may be edged in a dull blue or grey.
Annectens tends to show off differently depending on the substrate and tank background. With dark substrates and backgrounds, the fish will appear almost black. If you hope to see the bluest fish, keep this fish over a light substrate with a brighter background.
Annectens comes from sandy areas of Lake Malawi, Africa at depths of about 5-10 metres.
Annectens is a not a very aggressive cichlid, but since it gets fairly big, a 200L or larger tank with a sandy substrate is recommended. Lake Malawi has hard water, generally around 24°c, so your aquarium water should preferably be the same. Males do not aggressively molest females or sub-dominant males, so little damage if any occurs. Still, provide some cover for sub-dominant fish.
In the wild, Annectens is one of the so-called “follower cichlids” which trail behind other substrate sifting cichlids, picking off food items that are stirred up in the water column.
Annectens is easy to feed in the aquarium are will readily accept good quality Cichlid Pellets, etc.
- Species – Protomelas annectens
- Common Name – Annectens
- Origin – Lake Malawi
- Diet – Carnivore/Omnivore
- PH Range – Alkaline 7.5 – 8.5
- Water Type – Hard
- Temperature – Tropical 24°c
- Breed Type – Mouth brooder
- Current Size – approximately 5cm (Grows to approximately 20cm)
- Sex – Un-sexed
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