Care
The Mozambique Mouthbrooder is known from a wide variety of densely vegetated habitats on the east African coast, including canals, creeks, drains, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams, swamps, and tidal creeks. This robust species has been released in over 90 countries worldwide, and unfortunately most report adverse ecological effect due to its adaptability to so many environmental conditions, along with its piscivorous nature and extreme fecundity. Despite such concerns, this drab coloured cichlid remains (perhaps somewhat surprisingly) a popular ornamental fish for voluminous aquaria, and in warmer climes, outdoor tropical ponds. Due to the large adult size of this semi-aggressive fish, an aquarium measuring at least 7"™ x 2.5"™ x 2.5"™ is required. A group of youngsters can be grown on in a smaller tank, but in most cases they will eventually require splitting up and rehoming into larger quarters. These cichlids are big eaters, so an efficient filtration system along with regular water changes are very important in order to keep them healthy. Anything green and leafy will be regarded as a tasty snack, so if plants are desired they will have to be plastic and well weighted down or secured to the décor. Large sized gravels/pebbles should be avoided as bigger specimens are capable of throwing it against the glass; it is best to choose sand or the smallest sized gravel available. These fish like to dig and rearrange the décor, so ensure that any large structures are stable, and definitely make use of a heater guard. With regards to tankmates, never attempt to keep these alongside small fish. It may be possible to house a Mozambique Mouthbrooder with other cichlids of a similar size and temperament in an XXXL tank with plenty of visual barriers amongst the décor (and introduced simultaneously when all fish are juvenile), but more often than not, these fish do best on their own or with large armoured catfish. If you happen to obtain a compatible pair, it is best to house them in a species-only tank, as much aggression would be shown towards outsiders if breeding occurs in an aquarium containing other fish - and this could all too quickly result in injuries or worse. Several colour varieties have been tank-bred from the original wild green form, and are sometimes available in the trade. May also be seen on sale as Mozambique Tilapia.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Small specimens will enjoy all manner of foods including flake/green flake, cichlid pellets/granules, and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, and Mysis shrimp; adults will require larger foodstuffs such as krill/prawns/lancefish. But do ensure they receive ample vegetable matter such as blanched spinach, kale, lettuce, cucumber etc, and do not feed high protein foods too often.
Breeding
Maternal mouthbrooders. When ready to spawn, the male excavates a pit in the substrate and entices the female to mate with him. If the female is receptive, she will deposit her eggs in the pre-dug pit and then take them into her mouth along with milt from the male. Eggs may number from 100 to as many as 1700. At this point, the male plays no further part in the reproductive process. The female broods the eggs in her mouth, circulating water over them via careful chewing motions made with the jaws. The eggs hatch inside the female's mouth within 3-5 days, but the fry are not released until days 10-14. Following release, the female cares for the fry for a further 3-4 weeks, letting them enter her mouth again if there is a threat to their safety. The fry grow at quite a pace and are sexually mature within 9 months. In the wild, a single female can have 3 to 4 broods a year, each with several hundred young.
