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Profiles Malawi Haplochromines Lethrinops auritus (Chembe)

	Lethrinops auritus (Chembe)

	Scientific Name: Lethrinops auritus (Chembe)

	Pronunciation: lth-r-nps

	Geo. Origin: Chembe Beach

	Habitat: Muddy bottom bay

	Diet: Omnivore

	Gender Differences: Monomorphic

	Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder

	Temperament: Peaceful

	Conspecific Temperament: Mildly Aggressive

	Maximum Size: 3.5"

	Temperature: 78 - 82°F

	pH: 7.8 - 8.6

	Water Hardness: Hard

	Difficulty: 3

Comments:

This is smallest known Lethrinops species. In the wild, males construct elaborate bowers consisting of 2-25 mud cones with an approximate overall diameter of 1 meter. In the center of this bower is yet another cone made from sand (not mud), alongside which he digs a spawning pit 4-5 inches across. This cichlid consumes zooplankton, crustaceans, and even diatoms. Like all Lethrinops species, L. auritus hunts by shoveling and filtering the substrate (mud-sand mixture) for food particles.

Profiles Malawi Haplochromines Lethrinops auritus (Chembe)

Key To Species Profile Terms

Pronunciation: Refer to our Pronunciation Key for an explanation of the phonetic symbols.

Habitat: This is the primary location where the cichlid is found and is a generalization. This does not
mean a fish cannot be found in other habitats.

Diet: Many cichlids specialize in eating one type of food; notwithstanding, some of these specialized
feeders are flexible and can be opportunistic feeders.

Temperament: This describes the overall demeanor of a cichlid toward other tankmates that
  are of a different species. Consider that there is variability in temperament due to various factors,
  including aquarium size, tankmates of similar appearance, stocking levels, and order of introduction.
  There may even be some variability among individual specimens.

Conspecific Temperament: This describes the overall demeanor of a cichlid toward other tank-
  mates of the same species. Consider that there is variability in temperament due to such factors as
  aquarium size, stocking levels and order of introduction. There may even be some variability among
  individual specimens.

Maximum Size: This is in regards to total length (including the tail) of typical aquarium specimens.
  Wild specimens may not attain this size, or may in fact grow larger than aquarium raised individuals
  due to various factors. Also consider that this is the typical maximum size and there are exceptional
  individuals that will exceed it.

Difficulty: This measure is a relative value, comparing a single species against all other cichlids.
This only accounts for maintanence in the aquarium and not breeding considerations.
1 = easy and forgiving, 5 = extremely challenging.

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