Pseudotropheus Demasoni

The colorful and captivating Pseudotropheus Demasoni fish species livens up any aquarium with a pop of color. Aquarium enthusiasts love these little cichlids from Lake Malawi because of their eye-catching blue and black stripes.

Pseudotropheus Demasoni can be very territorial and aggressive, especially in smaller tanks, despite their beautiful appearance. Maintaining a healthy and peaceful aquarium environment requires an understanding of their behavior and needs.

The fundamentals of raising Pseudotropheus Demasoni will be covered in this article, along with information on their diet, habitat needs, and how to handle their feisty disposition.

Distribution

The African Lake Malawi is home to the endemic Pseudotropheus Demasoni. This species is primarily found in shallow waters close to Tanzanian coastlines.

Due to their poor compatibility with other fish species and difficulty of maintenance, beginners should avoid purchasing these fish. Experts advise keeping these cichlids in two different ways:

    In a species aquarium. One male and several females are placed in one tank. Simultaneous presence of several males in a group will inevitably lead to strong territorial clashes.
    In a common aquarium, necessarily with a large number of fish. In this case, it is recommended to settle Pseudotropheus demasoni next to other representatives of the Mbuna group, different in color. With such an aquarium organization, the territorial aggression of the alpha male will spread to everyone, and he will not be able to splash it out on any one neighbor.

One male and four to five females are typically housed in a harem. More than 100 liters of aquarium space are required. You must build more shelters for the fish.

In order to do this, grottoes and stones that mimic the rocks and caves that Pseudotropheus Demasoni inhabits in Malawi are created and placed inside the aquarium.

In general, Malawi cichlid containers do not come with any kind of foliage.

Hard-leaved ferns, on the other hand, are planted in these types of aquariums by some aquarists because they not only withstand the cichlids’ onslaught but also purify the water.

Water parameters for ideal maintenance

It is advised to keep stable hydrochemical parameters in an aquarium containing pseudotropheus Demasoni:

    hardness – 10-25 German degrees;
    acid-base balance – 7.6-8.8.

Many aquarists add coral chips to containers containing Malawi cichlids in order to maintain the appropriate level of water hardness.

    Every week, it is necessary to replace 15-20% of the water volume with fresh water. In the aquarium, you will also need to install a filter and a high-performance compressor, plus regularly siphon the soil.
    When setting up a filter, it is necessary to take into account that the fish do not like a strong flow of water. In nature, they prefer places with a calmer current.

What to feed pseudotropheus Demasoni

Similar to the majority of Mbuna group members, Pseudotropheus demasoni needs a diet that consists of 70% plants and 30% protein. Fish frequently consume algae, which they scrape off of the stone’s surface and the aquarium’s walls.

Food that is alive or frozen can be utilized as a protein source. Pseudotropheus Demasoni typically consumes:

  • insect larvae;
  • small crustaceans;
  • mollusks;
  • zooplankton.

Fish in an aquarium can be fed cyclops or brine shrimp. Ideally frozen, as this lowers the possibility of infection.

It is acceptable to use greens, cucumber, zucchini, spinach, and some fruits as plant products. Boiling water is a recommended pre-treatment for greens.

Using balanced dry food is recommended by experts so that fish can obtain the vitamins and microelements they need.

When it comes to cichlid specialized food, the following items are worth looking into:

  • Tetra Cichlid Algae Mini;

  • Tetra Malawi Granules;

  • Tetra Cichlid Colour Pellets;

  • Sera Cichlid Green;

  • Sera Granugreen;

  • Dajana Pet Cichlid Flakes;

  • Dennerle Cichlid Carny.

Give Pseudotropheus demasoni tiny meals several times a day. They might not be able to finish their entire meal at once, and food leftovers will cause changes to the water’s chemical composition.

Reproduction

For many Malawian fish, reproduction follows a standard protocol in which eggs are incubated in the mouth. At six months of age, Pseudotropheus demasoni reaches sexual maturity. It is possible for sprouting to occur in a separate tank or in the main aquarium.

Pseudotropheus demasoni fry will become prey for adults and possibly other nearby species if there is no shelter. It is preferable to use a separate spawning tank in order to protect the young.

To ensure that the progeny remain pure, a breeding pair must be moved to a different aquarium. Cichlids are easily able to cross-pollinate, and if multiple species are kept together in an aquarium, hybrid fry may result.

The spawning aquarium needs to be 40 cm by 40 cm in size. Along with a few large, flat stones, sandy soil is added to the bottom. The male will either dig a depression in the sand where the female will lay her eggs, or he will select one of the boulders as a good location. Suggested hydrochemical parameters:

    acid-base balance – 8.2-8.5.

The male fertilizes the eggs after the female gathers her clutch of ten to fifteen eggs in her mouth. During the incubation period, the mother holds the eggs in her mouth for approximately one week. After two weeks of hatching, the fry are able to move on their own and are no longer able to run into their mother’s mouth when they are in danger.

They can be given cyclops, nauplii of brine shrimp, special dry food for frying, or crushed food for adults as food. The fish in the aquarium have a ten-year lifespan under ideal circumstances.

Best Neighbors

There’s a crucial rule to follow when choosing neighbors for Pseudotropheus demasoni: no fish with stripes. Even when they are around neighbors who have yellow stripes, these cichlids can be hostile. It is best to add Mbuna to them, which should be uniformly yellow in color.

Pseudotropheus Demasoni has the ability to attack even bigger fish in an attempt to divide the territory.

Expert aquarists advise taking into account the following species as possible neighbors:

Pseudotropheus demasoni and Pseudotropheus zebra should not be placed next to each other.

Pseudotropheus Demasoni is a colorful and combative African cichlid that is well-liked by knowledgeable aquarium keepers who can handle its demanding care requirements and territorial behavior. It is distinguished by its eye-catching blue and black stripes.

Other forms and similar species

Pseudotropheus demasoni and several other species of cichlids share a striking resemblance in appearance.

  • Pseudotropheus zebra. This species can have several color options – black and white, blue and black, blue and orange. In the color form with blue and black stripes, the fish look like
  • Pseudotropheus demasoni, but look paler, and the boundaries between the stripes look more blurred.

  • Pseudotropheus lombardo. This species, due to a recent revision of the classification, was assigned to the genus Maylandia. It is noteworthy that in Pseudotropheus lombardo, the females have a blue-striped color, while the males have yellow scales with dark stripes.
  • Pseudotropheus elongatus Mpanga. It has a rich blue body color with transverse dark stripes. Almost all fins are black, only the end of the dorsal and caudal fins have a contrasting yellow color. The species also belongs to aggressive and territorial.

  • Pseudotropheus saulosi. Small fish that grow up to 9 cm in length and are distinguished by pronounced sexual dimorphism. If the color of the male resembles a relative of Pseudotropheus demasoni with its alternating dark blue and light blue stripes, then the females have rich yellow scales. In general, males of Pseudotropheus saulosi look paler compared to Pseudotropheus demasoni.
Name Pseudotropheus Demasoni
Origin Lake Malawi, Africa
Size Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Temperament Aggressive, territorial
Diet Omnivore
Water Temperature 75-82°F (24-28°C)
pH Level 7.8-8.6
Aquarium Size Minimum 30 gallons

Any aquarium would benefit from the colorful and fascinating Pseudotropheus Demasoni, but it’s important to know about its special requirements and temperament. These fish can add vibrancy and beauty to your tank with their eye-catching hues and lively personalities.

They are not the easiest fish to take care of, though. They are better suited for seasoned aquarists due to their aggressive behavior and unique water needs. To keep them healthy and happy, it’s crucial to give them a well-planned habitat with lots of hiding places and the appropriate tank mates.

A rewarding fish to keep, the Pseudotropheus Demasoni can be yours if you’re willing to put in the work. They are a focal point in any aquarium thanks to their vibrant personalities and gorgeous looks, providing a wealth of entertainment for those who understand the difficulties and rewards of keeping a dynamic, species-rich tank.

prices for aquarium fish, Pseudotropheus demasoni Pseudotropheus demasoni

Spawning Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Cichlids from a 250 liter aquarium. Melanochromis Maingano. Pseudotropheus Demasoni. Labidochromis yellow.

Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Bosses of our aquarium. Family Pseudotropheus Greshaki. Cichlids Malawi

Pseudotropheus Demasoni / Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Pseudotropheus demasoni we launch into the aquarium.

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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