Lavender mbuna
Iodotropheus sprengerae
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A mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, known only from Boadzulu, Chinyankwazi and Chinyamwezi islands in the lake's southeastern arm. It is one of the least aggressive mbuna. Juveniles and females are rusty brown; adult males take on lavender tones. The female mouthbroods the eggs. It reaches about 10 centimetres. Its name honours the aquarist Kappy Sprenger.
- Scientific name
- Iodotropheus sprengerae
- Family
- Cichlidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Order
- Cichliformes
- Synonyms
- Iodochromis sprengerae, Iodochromis sprengeri, Melanochromis perspicax, Petrotilapia tridentiger
Origin
- Native region
- África
Water
- Temperature
- 25–29 °C
- pH
- 7.5–8.8
- General hardness (GH)
- 10–25 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 81 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 90 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Swimming level
- Middle
Care
- Care difficulty
- Moderate
Reproduction
- Breeding strategy
- Mouthbrooder
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
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