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No federal permit to keepCongochromis dimidiatus
Congochromis dimidiatus
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Care follows the west, central and southern african river cichlids and tilapias guide below.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 2.4 in / 6.2 cm).
- Water: Freshwater.
- Temperature: 72–77°F (range recorded for this species).
- pH: 6–7.
- Hardness: 5–8 dGH.
- Layout: Lives on or near the bottom: floor space and hiding places matter more than height.
- Availability: Rarely or never seen in the aquarium trade; expect to source it from specialists or not at all.
Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.
Care guide
Species care notes
- Tank: a base of at least 24 × 12 in (roughly 14 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
- Water: soft, acidic water, 72–77 °F, pH 6–7, 5–8 dGH.
- Behaviour: temperament territorial; in a pair.
- Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).
Short excerpts from the species profile:
- Setup: “Use a soft, sandy substrate, as this species lives on the bottom, and provide caves as potential spawning sites.”
- Diet: “In the wild Congochromis species feed on the bottom, taking detritus, plant material and small invertebrates.”
- Tankmates: “It can be kept in a community tank if the tankmates are chosen with care.”
- Breeding: “Congochromis species are monogamous, bi-parental cave spawners and breed readily in aquaria if their basic needs are met.”
From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167
West, Central and southern African river cichlids and tilapias
Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: African rivers, streams and lakes. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.
Housing & setup
- Kribensis and other dwarf West Africans do well in planted 20–30 gallon tanks with caves and neutral water.
- Tilapias and Serranochromis grow large and are often kept in ponds or for aquaculture.
Climate & lighting
| Water | 75–82°F |
Diet
- Omnivorous pellets plus frozen foods; tilapias need plant matter.
Health watch
- Several tilapias are invasive and regulated by many states; never release.
Understanding the animal
In the wild
In the wild
From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1
| Where it lives | Lives in freshwater. Stays near the bottom. Known from larger rivers and lakes. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater, 72–77 °F (22–25 °C), pH 6–7, hardness 5–8 dH. |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
| Behavior to plan for | Breeding: clutch tenders. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 72–77 °F.
Native climate (measured)
Native climate (measured)
| Warm-season highs | about 88°F (up to 89°F in the hottest sampled areas) |
| Cool-season lows | about 66°F (down to 63°F in the coldest sampled areas) |
| Average temperature | 76–77°F across sampled records |
| Relative humidity | 80–84% on average (driest month about 78%) |
| Rainfall | about 1734 mm a year, spread fairly evenly |
Measured at 32 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.
From the sources
From the sources
Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.
| Where it lives | Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase |
| Biology | Known from larger rivers and lakes. Pair-bonding, biparental, cave-spawning species. — FishBase |
Data and studies
The numbers
The numbers
Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.
Adult length
Maximum recorded length. Measured as total length. Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.
Water temperature
Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.
Minimum tank footprint
Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 24 × 12 in (about 14 US gallons).
Sources for this sheet
- FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
- Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
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