Description

The Pseudotropheus saulosi, a type of Mbuna cichlid, is a small, vibrant fish from Lake Malawi, Africa. They’re a popular choice for aquariums due to their striking colours and manageable size. Males are a brilliant blue with black vertical stripes, while females and juveniles are a bright yellow. They’re known for being moderately aggressive and territorial, especially the males.

Habitat and Aquarium Requirements
To keep this species healthy, you should replicate their natural habitat in your aquarium. They come from rocky areas of Lake Malawi known as Taiwan Reef, so your tank should be decorated with plenty of rocks to create caves and crevices for hiding spots and territories. Use a sandy substrate, as they enjoy sifting through it.

Tank Size: A minimum of a 30-40 gallon tank, preferably one that’s at least 4 feet long, is recommended for a small group.

Water Parameters: They require hard, alkaline water with a pH of 7.5-8.5 and a temperature between 75-82F (24-28C).

Filtration: A powerful filter is essential to maintain excellent water quality.

Decor: Provide ample rockwork and a sandy substrate. Avoid live plants, as these fish are herbivores and will likely eat them.

Diet
P. saulosi are primarily herbivores, and their diet should reflect this to prevent health issues like Malawi bloat, which can be fatal.

Staple: A high-quality spirulina-based flake or pellet food is ideal.

Supplement: You can supplement their diet with blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or romaine lettuce.

Treats: Offer live or frozen protein-rich foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms very sparingly.

Tank Mates and Social Behaviour
While they are aggressive and territorial, they can be kept in a community tank with other suitable Malawi cichlids. A good strategy is to “overstock” the tank, meaning you have a larger number of fish in the aquarium. This helps to spread out the aggression and prevent a single fish from being bullied.

Compatibility: They do well with other small, less aggressive Mbuna species, such as Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus) or Rusty Cichlids (Iodotropheus sprengerae).

Incompatibility: Avoid housing them with overly aggressive or much larger species that may intimidate or prey on them.

Group Size: It’s best to keep them in a colony with a ratio of at least three to one females to males to reduce male-on-male aggression.

• Origin: Lake Malawi
• Adult Size: 11cm
• Social: Semi-aggressive
• Lifespan:
• Tank Level:
• Minimum Tank Size: Litres
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Care:
• pH: 7.5-8.5 (alkaline)
• Temperature: 24-28C
• Tank Volume: 150L