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Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids

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Fish Profiles & Photos

Apistogramma
    agassizii
    atahualpa
    borellii
    cacatuoides
    commbrae
    geisleri
    gephyra
    gibbiceps
    hongsloi
    iniridae
    macmasteri
    ortmanni
    panduro
    paucisquamis
    rubrolineata
    sp. "Putumayo"
    steindachneri
    uaupesi
    xingu

Apistogrammoides
pucallpaensis
Dicrossus
   filamentosus
Laetacara
   curviceps
Microgeophagus
    altispinosa
    ramirezi

West African

Nanochromis
parilus
transvestitus

Pelvicachromis
    pulcher
    roloffi
    subocellatus
    taeniatus

Pelvicachromis roloffi

Pelvicachromis roloffi is a rarely seen dwarf cichlid from eastern Guinea, Sierra Leone and western Liberia. There are several regional variations of Pelvicachromis roloffi however, none are brightly colored. Most male Pelvicachromis roloffi are rather drab with a gray/brown base color a

This young male Pelvicachromis roloffi is very typical for the species.

dark lateral stripe. Individual males may exhibit attractive blue spangled highlights on their caudal (tail) fin.

By contrast, female P. roloffi are very pretty in a subdued fashion. They exhibit a warm purple abdomen whose colors intensify during spawning. Female P. roloffi also generally sport several yellow rimmed dark spots at the base of their dorsal fin.

Pelvicachromis roloffi are generally mild mannered compared to many cichlids. However, they are capable of significant fighting if not properly housed. As with all dwarfs, I suggest a complex habitat and keeping the fish in either small breeding groups or large flocks. Try to avoid keeping just a few fish together unless they are a breeding pair/group. In small numbers the most dominate fish will quickly eliminate the less aggressive unless the tank provides plenty of cover.

Female Pelvicachromis roloffi

Pelvicachromis roloffi are typical cave spawning West African Dwarf Cichlids. They tend to form a fairly strong pair bond and after a prolonged courtship period they will select a cave to spawn in. The female performs the egg and larval fry care with the male in generally close proximity. After the fry emerge the male will generally assist in brood care. The fry are fairly large, especially as compared to Apistogramma fry. They will easily take newly hatched brine shrimp and other small foods. With good food and frequent water changes they will grow quickly.

Although not one of the most spectacularly colored West African dwarf cichlids, P. roloffi makes a great resident in a community tank and is an interesting dwarf cichlid. If you ever have an opportunity to keep these rare fishes you will enjoy them greatly.

Copyright This website and all contents and design, including images, are protected under U.S. Copyright © 2006 by Montana Exotic Tropicals. All rights reserved worldwide. Dwarfcichlid.com is for your personal and noncommercial use. No one may modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, or publish any materials contained in dwarf cichlid.com without prior written permission. dwarf cichlid.com is a registered service mark and may not be used without permission.

Dwarfcichlid.com Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids
Home Aquarium Care Buying Dwarf Cichlids Book Reviews South American Fishes In-Box Q&A West African Fishes Contact Us
Fish Profiles & Photos South American Apistogramma agassizii atahualpa borellii cacatuoides commbrae geisleri gephyra gibbiceps hongsloi iniridae macmasteri ortmanni panduro paucisquamis rubrolineata sp. "Putumayo" steindachneri uaupesi xingu Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis Dicrossus filamentosus Laetacara curviceps Microgeophagus altispinosa ramirezi West African Nanochromis parilus transvestitus Pelvicachromis pulcher roloffi subocellatus taeniatus	Pelvicachromis roloffi Pelvicachromis roloffi is a rarely seen dwarf cichlid from eastern Guinea, Sierra Leone and western Liberia. There are several regional variations of Pelvicachromis roloffi however, none are brightly colored. Most male Pelvicachromis roloffi are rather drab with a gray/brown base color a This young male Pelvicachromis roloffi is very typical for the species. dark lateral stripe. Individual males may exhibit attractive blue spangled highlights on their caudal (tail) fin. By contrast, female P. roloffi are very pretty in a subdued fashion. They exhibit a warm purple abdomen whose colors intensify during spawning. Female P. roloffi also generally sport several yellow rimmed dark spots at the base of their dorsal fin. Pelvicachromis roloffi are generally mild mannered compared to many cichlids. However, they are capable of significant fighting if not properly housed. As with all dwarfs, I suggest a complex habitat and keeping the fish in either small breeding groups or large flocks. Try to avoid keeping just a few fish together unless they are a breeding pair/group. In small numbers the most dominate fish will quickly eliminate the less aggressive unless the tank provides plenty of cover. Female Pelvicachromis roloffi Pelvicachromis roloffi are typical cave spawning West African Dwarf Cichlids. They tend to form a fairly strong pair bond and after a prolonged courtship period they will select a cave to spawn in. The female performs the egg and larval fry care with the male in generally close proximity. After the fry emerge the male will generally assist in brood care. The fry are fairly large, especially as compared to Apistogramma fry. They will easily take newly hatched brine shrimp and other small foods. With good food and frequent water changes they will grow quickly. Although not one of the most spectacularly colored West African dwarf cichlids, P. roloffi makes a great resident in a community tank and is an interesting dwarf cichlid. If you ever have an opportunity to keep these rare fishes you will enjoy them greatly. Copyright This website and all contents and design, including images, are protected under U.S. Copyright © 2006 by Montana Exotic Tropicals. All rights reserved worldwide. Dwarfcichlid.com is for your personal and noncommercial use. No one may modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, or publish any materials contained in dwarf cichlid.com without prior written permission. dwarf cichlid.com is a registered service mark and may not be used without permission.