Click here and here to see several pictures.

Origin: The ancestors of Pseudocrenilabrus Nicholsi Cichlid lived only in the Congo River Basin. But now they live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums males are said to grow to be about 8" long, but so far we haven't seen one bigger than about 2.74" long, including their tails, which is a very nice size for aquariums.

Females are smaller and remain gray without the brilliant colors shown by mature males.

Behaviors: Male Pseudocrenilabrus Nicholsi are usually aggressive to other males of the same species.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, mild tempered Mbunas from Lake Malawi, like the Electric Yellow Labidochromis, and Synodontis Catfish.

Click here for more about Synodontis Catfish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Nicholsi live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for these Cichlids to eat.

Recommend feeding them small pellets when they are young, then gradually increasing the size of the pellets, as they grow larger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Nicholsi will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 40-gallons of water.

Each Cichlid will need at least 3-gallons of water, and

Nicholsi live best in an aquarium with at least 12 other compatible Cichlids of about the same size.

Decor: Nicholsi do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 40-gallon aquariums have room along the back for at least two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is a good set up for Pundamilia Nyererei.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Pundamilia Nyererei can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when they're very small, but easy when they're mature, because the males change from silver-gray to a brilliant rainbow of colors.

Breeding: Pundamilia Nyererei are mouthbrooders.

A female lays eggs, a male fertilizes the eggs, and the female picks up the eggs in her mouth.

She'll brood them for about 3-weeks, then release them in the aquarium.

They're miniature versions of their mother and very cute!

Click here to read more about breeding mouthbrooders.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: This is a rare fish that has not had an opportunity to become popular yet, but it should become popular.

The mature males are colorful, but the young and the females are grey to olive and not colorful.

Names: Their scientific name is Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi, and there seems to be no common name yet..

Variations: There are variations of this species from various locations in the Congo river Basin.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.

DrTom - 05/05/2015