| Scientific Name: Melanochromis lepidiadaptes |
| Pronunciation: m
|
| Geo. Origin: Makanjila Point |
| Habitat: Shallow Precipitous Rocky Habitat |
| Diet: Omnivore |
| Gender Differences: Dimorphic |
| Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder |
| Temperament: Highly Aggressive |
| Conspecific Temperament: Aggressive |
| Maximum Size: 3.5" |
| Temperature: 78 - 82°F |
| pH: 7.8 - 8.6 |
| Water Hardness: Hard |
| Difficulty: 3 |
Images: |
Male at Makanjila Adult male |
Photo Credit: Ad Konings |
Comments: |
Male M. lepidiadaptes have light blue bodies with small darker blue horizontal bars on them. The gill covers has small yellow spots on them. The edge of the dorsal fin and tail also have some yellow on them. Females have light brown bodies with black bars on them. The yellow spot on the male gill cover is black with the females. The species is known for eating scales off off other fish, but it has never been proven to be a scale eater. In the wild, fish have been caught with scales in the stomachs, but not in a fashion so as to label them as scale eaters. They probably do eat scales when the occasion arises. |