Chromidotilapia guntheri

Chromidotilapia guntheri is the type species of its genus, distributed across coastal West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon. It is a chunky, moderately large cichlid with a dark-blotched olive-to-brown body and a reddish-orange throat and belly, particularly vivid in breeding males. As a biparental mouthbrooder, both the male and female carry the eggs and wrigglers in their buccal cavities, alternating custody in an unusual cooperative parenting system.

In the aquarium, C. guntheri is best kept as a bonded pair in a spacious tank. They are generally peaceful towards non-cichlid tankmates but can be assertive towards conspecifics, particularly during breeding. The pair should be given ample space and multiple potential spawning sites such as flat rocks and caves.

Soft to moderately hard water at pH 6.0–7.5 suits this adaptable species. A 150 L tank with heavy planting, bogwood, flat rocks, and some open sand area provides ideal conditions for pair keeping and breeding.

Water: 23–27°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 3–15, KH 2–10). Tank: 150 L minimum; bogwood, flat rocks, dense planting, and open sand areas for courtship displays. Feeding: Quality cichlid pellets, earthworms, large frozen foods — bloodworm, prawns; varied meaty diet. Breeding: Biparental mouthbrooder — both sexes hold eggs; pairs often pass the clutch between them. Compatibility: Peaceful with similarly sized non-cichlids; one pair per tank unless system is very large.