Southern mouthbrooder
Pseudocrenilabrus philander
A highly adaptable African maternal mouthbrooder. Males boast brilliant iridescent reflections while defending their territories. This robust cichlid thrives in varied, hardy community setups.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6.5 - 8
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
13 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 100 L
Minimum group
>= 3
GH
5 - 20 dGH
KH
4 - 15 dKH
TDS
115 - 450 ppm
Conductivity
180 - 703 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Pseudocrenilabrus philander is native to Southern and Central Africa, widely distributed across the Congo, Zambezi, Limpopo, and Orange River basins, as well as lakes, sinkholes, marshes, and thermal springs. It is an incredibly adaptable species that inhabits quiet or slow-moving waters, typically with dense marginal vegetation and sandy or muddy substrates.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Cichlidae. It is a robust dwarf cichlid; adult males can reach a maximum length of about 10 to 12 centimeters in the wild (usually smaller in captivity), while females remain smaller, averaging 6 to 7 centimeters. It features a large head and strong, prominent jaws.
Social Behavior: Displays a semi-aggressive and territorial temperament typical of cichlids. Males establish breeding territories on the substrate, defending them vigorously against rival males. Females and subadults form loose, mobile schools in vegetated areas. The species is highly polygamous.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is highly pronounced. Males exhibit brilliant coloration with yellow, green, and iridescent blue reflections, along with a distinct orange or red tip on the dorsal and anal fins. Females have a drab, camouflage silver-grey or olive-brown body, which helps them remain unnoticed during brooding.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 100 liters for a small harem (one male and multiple females). The setup should feature a fine sand or rounded gravel substrate, stable rock formations, and driftwood to establish visual barriers and caves. Plant robust species like Anubias, Vallisneria, or Java Fern that can withstand digging.
Diet and Feeding: An opportunistic omnivore. In the wild, it feeds on insects, larvae, small crustaceans, and organic detritus. In captivity, it readily accepts dry flakes and pellets, but its diet should be supplemented with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and vegetable matter.
Water Quality: Extremely hardy and tolerant. Prefers a pH range between 6.5 and 8.0, with a water hardness of 5 to 15 dGH. The ideal temperature range is 18 to 25 °C, making it tolerant of cooler temperatures. Maintain good biological filtration and perform regular water changes to prevent excessive nitrate buildups.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Can be housed in community tanks with medium-sized, robust, and active fish such as larger barbs, danios, or hardy tetras. Avoid keeping it with small, slow, or delicate species. Do not house more than one male in a medium-sized tank to prevent severe territorial combat.
Aquarium Breeding: A maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a shallow pit in the sand and courts the female to spawn. After fertilization, the female immediately picks up the eggs in her mouth and retreats to a quiet area. She carries the eggs and fry for 10 to 14 days, defending them even after they are first released to forage.
Risks and Diseases: While highly resilient, it can contract common freshwater diseases like Ich (white spot) or fin rot under poor water conditions. A major risk is female stress caused by over-persistent males; ensuring adequate hiding spots and keeping a proper female-to-male ratio (at least 2-3 females per male) is critical.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Pseudocrenilabrus philander is native to Southern and Central Africa, widely distributed across the Congo, Zambezi, Limpopo, and Orange River basins, as well as lakes, sinkholes, marshes, and thermal springs. It is an incredibly adaptable species that inhabits quiet or slow-moving waters, typically with dense marginal vegetation and sandy or muddy substrates.
Origin
Cosmopolitan or introducedAfrica and Madagascar
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are generally peaceful towards similarly sized heterospecifics but can be quite aggressive towards conspecifics. Males in particular are highly territorial and will vigorously defend their space against rival males. During the mouthbrooding phase, females become extremely reclusive and require a stress-free environment. Creating distinct visual boundaries with rocks and plants is necessary to manage their aggression.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, they are micro-predators that sift through the substrate for small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they should be offered a varied and high-quality diet consisting of sinking micro-pellets and flakes. Supplementing their diet regularly with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms will promote optimal health and vibrant coloration. Variety is key to preventing nutritional deficiencies.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- In captivity, this species typically has a lifespan ranging from 3 to 5 years. Optimal water conditions, balanced nutrition, and the absence of stress from territorial competition are key factors in reaching their biological limit. Poor water quality or highly aggressive tank mates can weaken their immune system, making them susceptible to fatal bacterial infections.
- Adult size
- 13 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 13 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 13 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Pseudocrenilabrus philander (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Harem
- In a suitably sized aquarium, they are best maintained in a harem configuration consisting of one dominant male and several females. If the tank is on the smaller side, maintaining a single compatible pair is the safest approach to minimize intraspecific aggression. Keeping multiple males usually requires a very large footprint with complex hardscape to break lines of sight and establish distinct territories. Proper sex ratios are vital for a peaceful tank.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed them small portions once or twice daily to maintain their metabolism and overall well-being. Care must be taken to only offer an amount they can completely consume within a couple of minutes to avoid fouling the water. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can lead to severe water quality issues. Fasting the fish for one day per week can also help clear their digestive tract.
- Bioload
- This species has a relatively low bioload compared to larger cichlids, making it suitable for appropriately sized setups. However, they are highly sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and elevated nitrates. Maintaining pristine water quality through adequate filtration and regular water changes is absolutely crucial for their long-term health. A heavily planted tank can also help absorb excess nutrients and keep the environment stable.
- Flow
- Strong
- Originating from slow-moving streams, backwaters, and sluggish tributaries, they strongly prefer gentle water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents will cause them undue stress and force them to expend unnecessary energy just to maintain their position. Filtration should be baffled if necessary to provide a calm environment, particularly near the substrate where they spend most of their time. Mimicking this natural calm flow is essential for their comfort.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Mouthbrooder
- They are maternal mouthbrooders, a fascinating reproductive strategy where the female incubates the eggs inside her mouth. The female takes full responsibility for guarding the eggs and fry, often retreating to a quiet area of the tank. The male generally plays no role in parental care and may even be aggressive towards the female post-spawning. Providing plenty of hiding spots is essential for the female's security during incubation.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Territorial
- They are best kept in a species-specific aquarium or a peaceful community tank with small, non-aggressive dither fish like tetras or rasboras. Fast-swimming or boisterous tank mates should be avoided as they will easily outcompete this species for food and induce stress. Bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras might face territorial disputes, especially if breeding behaviors commence. Careful selection of tank mates is necessary to ensure a harmonious environment.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- These fish primarily inhabit the lower third of the water column, spending the vast majority of their day navigating the substrate. They are often seen foraging among leaf litter, driftwood, and plant roots in search of food. They rarely venture into the upper levels of the aquarium unless enticed by feeding or if they lack sufficient cover below. A well-structured bottom layout is highly appreciated.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.7 ± 0.6 se
- Resilience
- Medium (1.4 - 4.4 years)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5625
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01259, b = 2.97
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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