Venustus Cichlid
First described by Boulenger in 1908 as Haplochromis venustus , this beautiful Malawian cichlids is now named Nimbochromis venustus . The juveniles and females have a white to golden body with several large dark patches. The adult male, which can reach 8 inches or more transforms into a golden body with an electric blue face and a deep gold to white stripe. The deep gold to white stripe runs right up the nose to the forehead. This very striking fish, it is best kept in harem fashion: the females are mouthbrooders and will incubate the eggs for 14-21 days before releasing the free swimming fry. As befits a large fish, the Venustus requires a lot of open space in which to swim, but also needs some sheltered areas (especially for the females.) Very similar in appearance to the Nimbochromis polystigma , the Venustus has larger spots and more of an “open” pattern than the Polystigma. Both are thought to await prey by appearing to be dead and rotting on the bottom. In the aquarium, they will eat most prepared foods and will require frequent partial water changes.
Approximate Arrival Size for Venustus Cichlid: 1 to 2 in.
Detailed Information about this animal.
