Nyerere's Victoria cichlid

Pundamilia nyererei is a small, brilliantly coloured haplochromine cichlid from the rocky shores of Lake Victoria; the Ruti Island population shows intense red flanks with black barring on males, while females are drab silvery-brown. It is an active, insect- and algae-feeding omnivore of the rocky habitat. Males are strongly territorial and constantly court and harass females, so a group of one male with three or more females in a rock-structured tank is recommended. Because many Victorian cichlids are threatened in the wild and hybridise easily, keep geographic forms pure and avoid mixing similar Pundamilia species. Water should be hard, alkaline and warm with good oxygenation and clean, well-filtered conditions. Feed varied dry and frozen foods with a vegetable component; avoid an overly protein-rich diet. A maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily.