Astatoreochromis alluaudi

Astatoreochromis alluaudi is a scientifically famous Lake Victoria cichlid whose pharyngeal jaw morphology changes plastically in response to diet — fish raised on hard-shelled snails develop greatly enlarged, molariform pharyngeal teeth, while those raised on softer prey develop smaller, more generalised tooth morphology. This phenotypic plasticity has made A. alluaudi a key model organism in the study of cichlid jaw evolution and the mechanisms underlying the adaptive radiation of the Victorian cichlid flock.

In the aquarium, A. alluaudi is a moderately large, semi-aggressive cichlid that can be kept in a Victorian community with care. Providing snails as part of the diet is highly recommended to allow the expression of natural jaw development. The species is a maternal mouthbrooder.

For aquarists interested in evolutionary biology, A. alluaudi represents an extraordinary opportunity to observe phenotypic plasticity in action — a single species that can express dramatically different jaw morphology depending on its developmental diet history.

Water: 22-27°C, pH 7.0-8.5, hard alkaline; weekly 25% water changes. Tank: 200L minimum; rocky décor; provide snails regularly. Feeding: Snails, cichlid pellets, frozen mysis; hard-shelled prey maximises jaw development. Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; standard Victorian cichlid breeding protocols. Compatibility: Victorian community; compatible with similar-sized Victorian species.