Lichnochromis acuticeps

	Scientific Name: Lichnochromis acuticeps
	Pronunciation: l k-n -kr -m s
	Common Name(s): Malawi Gar
	Geo. Origin: Lake-wide distribution
	Habitat: Shallow intermediate habitat
	Diet: Carnivore
	Gender Differences: Dimorphic
	Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder
	Temperament: Mildly Aggressive
	Conspecific Temperament: Mildly Aggressive
	Maximum Size: 12"
	Temperature: 78 - 82°F
	pH: 7.8 - 8.6
	Water Hardness: Hard
	Difficulty: 2

Images:

Adult male Adult female Adult male Adult female Adult male Subadult female Subadult male Subadult specimen Male ​

Photo Credit: Yoshihiro Sakai Japan

Articles:

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Comments:

This large, laterally-compressed cichlid consumes principally insect larvae and small mbuna in the wild but does not prey on tank mates in captivity. It cruises across the open sand and intermediate habitats at a constant pace, pausing only when prey is detected. Its primary feeding behavior is to approach crevices between boulders and the sand floor. Just before reaching this gap, it flops its body over 90 degrees, thus allowing it to get at prey hiding in narrow horizontal crevices between rocks and the sandy bottom. L. acuticeps is significantly laterally compressed, with a particularly narrow head and pointed snout. This shape is what allows it to gain access to these narrow crevices. Couring males are blue and yellow. Spawning usually occurs over a sandy substrate near rocks.