Nichols' Dwarf Mouthbrooder

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Congo River hydrographic basin, in particular the depression and lakes of Upemba (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Lives in small streams, lagoons and river margins rich in riparian aquatic vegetation, often among emerging rocks and mazes of fallen branches in relatively clear waters but protected by fronds.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Like the Egyptian cousin (P. multicolor), it has a robust, stocky and compact body. Dimensions are contained: the male touches 8 cm (3.1 inches, rarely 9 cm), the female stops at 6 cm (2.4 in). The head is powerful, with a rounded profile and prominent jaws created to intimidate or fight furiously if necessary.

Social Behavior: The "Little Tyrant". Absolute prevaricator ethology. Does not tolerate in the least the presence of other males of its species or related species (would persecute them until killing them or making them die of starvation due to extreme stress). Even towards females outside the reproductive period it is ruthless, forcing them to hide in very small ravines so as not to be brutally torn and asphyxiated in deadly pursuits.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Hypnosis spectacle. The displaying male is stunning: the body shines with an intense neon ELECTRIC BLUE covered with horizontal dark maculations. On the belly and sides it shows off bright saffron GOLD reverberations. The fins blaze with coral red streaks, gold and magic asymmetrical blue dotting. But the supreme detail are the impressive iridescent BRIGHT BLUE LIPS and the blood red throat. The female is dull, opaque silvery-brown (sand-colored) with colorless fins.

Tank Setup: Demands "Intricate Visual Trenches" (Tank min. 100-120 cm / 40-48 inches for a single male and females). Never put it in short aquariums! The setup must be an exaggerated chaotic tangle of large inextricable branches, blind rock dens (Mbuna-like), overturned half coconuts and very thick barriers of Anubias to completely fragment the view and save the females' lives when the male is frustrated or angry, otherwise he will flush them out everywhere with fatal lethal asphyxiating deaf and sad outcomes.

Feeding and Diet: Opportunistic Macro-Predator (invertebrates and larvae). Omnivore, in the aquarium it is not picky. Protein flakes or pre-sinking spongy granules are well accepted, but the male will lose the fabulous neon blue lips and iridescences if not fed regularly (2 times a week minimum) with generous frozen and live prey: large thick red bloodworms, enchytraeus or tasty lustful adult brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Tolerant chemistry (Moderate Congo River). Water neither too acidic nor too hard: a stable neutral pH (6.5 - 7.5) and a water hardness between GH 5 and 15 are ideal. Demands excellent biological filtration and punctual water changes: dirty waters with nitrites cause immediate necrosis of the precious fins and sudden mood drops of the male with fatal lethargic pale and consumptive ascitic bacterial infections.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Extremely High Risk aquarium model: "Dedicated Species (Harem) or Large Fast Riverine Community". NEVER two males together. NEVER weak and mild dwarf cichlids or calm and slow bottom snails and Corydoras (they would be decapitated or blinded in agony). Only recommended setup: 1 Nicholsi Male for 3-4 females inserted together from a young age (harem) and only huge or super-fast Dither Fish (e.g. Schools of huge armored Congo Tetras unreachable at the water surface in very high rapid ignorant peaceful flights far from the amazing tyrannical stalker dark red asphyxiating bottom).

Aquarium Reproduction: Maternal oral incubation in trench (Maternal Mouthbrooder). Lightning but violent asphyxiating amorous rite. The male ignites neon shaking in front of the female in a small sandy pit; after the T-position and fertilization, the female traps dozens of round transparent pale eggs in her throat. The male immediately loses interest and starts beating her ruthlessly if he sees her! The female must save herself by hiding in dark unreachable blind asphyxiating ravines where she fasts for three weeks to then release squadrons of ravenous gigantic swarming free dust fry.

Risks and Diseases: Chronic disease derived solely from "Stalking" and domestic ferocity. The #1 mortal risk is murder among peers in unsuitable bare emaciated illuminated poor desolate tanks (Females or beta males assassinated by asphyxiating stress starvation phobias nibbled fin flights cornered lethargy and terror). Subject to Tuberculosis and infarting ascitic bacterial dropsy (Bloat and deadly head hole ulcerous fungi and irreversible consumptive consumptive pale wasting) due to deficient cheap commercial garbage diets or missed toxic abyssal siphoning removed tired foul-smelling fetal mud.