Taiwan Reef Cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to Lake Malawi. The most famous variant (commercially known as "Taiwan Reef") comes from the submerged coral reef of Taiwanee Reef, near Chizumulu Island. It inhabits pure rocky elevations without sediments, lashed by currents and well lit, where it tirelessly grazes the algal carpet on the rocks (Aufwuchs).

Taxonomy and Morphology: Classified in the "Utaka/Haps" group, but with feeding habits more similar to Mbuna. Has a high, massive and oval body, designed to swim elegantly and resist currents along vertical cliffs. Adult specimens measure about 15-16 cm (6 inches). The teeth and mouth are strong, adapted to tear algae from stone walls.

Social Behavior: Visual protagonist. Has a kingly temperament: is moderately territorial (especially in adulthood), but not hysterical or lethal like the large Mbuna. Defends a large portion of rock during spawning, but for the rest of the time swims majestically in mid-water in open field, showing off its immense colored fins.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Absolute masterpiece of evolution. Dominant males are painted in blocks: brilliant metallic blue/green head, the upper part of the body and back is iridescent SKY BLUE, while the lower belly and bottom half explode in a blinding MUSTARD YELLOW. To crown the work, the pelvic and anal fins are brilliant blood red and finely dotted. Females remain silvery with marked faded vertical and horizontal dark lines (weak checkerboard appearance).

Tank Setup: Demands a large Reef Aquarium (Minimum 120-150 cm / 48-60 inches in length). Recreate massive barricades and high walls of smooth rocks up to the surface, leaving however a very wide and clean free frontal swimming zone with fine sand. Does not need closed dens (it is not a cave-dweller), but wide illuminated rocky terraces on which to graze algae.

Feeding and Diet: Herbivore/Omnivore (Aufwuchs Grazer). In nature eats the entire biocenosis growing on the rock (algae and microorganisms burrowed in them). In the aquarium it must be fed MAINLY with high-end Spirulina and vegetable-based feeds (flakes or soft granules), supplementing them only occasionally with frozen crustaceans (mysis or krill). An excess of pure proteins or mammal meat will cause a rapid and swollen death.

Water Quality: Perfect Malawi chemistry: extremely alkaline pH (7.8 - 8.6) and GH between 10 and 25. Extremely pure, limpid and highly oxygenated water with a good surface current to simulate the reef. The filter must dispose of very high organic loads without clogging.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Aquarium model: "Malawi Haps Community". Excellent together with other placid Haplochromines (Copadichromis, Sciaenochromis, Cyrtocara). TO AVOID: mixing it with other fish with too similar livery (blue and yellow) to avoid deadly territorial brawls, and the presence of fierce aggressive Mbuna (Labidochromis, Metriaclima) is not recommended as they would ruin its imposing finnage reducing it to a frightened recluse.

Aquarium Reproduction: Polygamous maternal mouthbrooding. The male sets ablaze in colors, elects a flat rock surface or a hollow, attracts a female there with rapid and showy vibrations of the whole body and they mate in a circle (the typical T-position). The female then retreats to a quiet place with the eggs in her throat, fasting for almost 30 days before releasing fry already identical to miniature gray adults.

Risks and Diseases: High mortality rate if fed poorly. Extreme and fulminating risk of "Bloat" (Ascitic occlusion and deadly intestinal infection) if fed with too rich foods, red mosquito larvae (bloodworms) or cheap generic protein flakes. If submissive in tanks of bullies, the blue scales fade into gray terror, quickly leading to starvation.