Labidochromis sp. 'Perlmutt'

Labidochromis sp. 'Perlmutt' (meaning 'mother of pearl' in German) is a delicately and unusually coloured mbuna from northern Lake Malawi localities near the Tanzania/Malawi border, displaying a pearlescent pale blue-white body with soft golden-yellow shading on the fins. Notably less aggressive than the majority of mbuna species, it can be integrated into mixed Tanganyikan or Malawi cichlid setups where extreme inter-species aggression is avoided through careful planning. A subtle beauty highly prized by collectors of Lake Malawi cichlids.

House in a rocky aquarium (minimum 150 L) with stacked rockwork and caves. Maintain hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8–8.6, GH 10–25, KH 8–18) at 24–28°C; use coral sand or Malawi buffer. Feed quality mbuna foods: spirulina flake, quality pellets, and blanched vegetables. Less aggressive than most mbuna but still territorial; provide sufficient territory per fish. Can be mixed with other mild-mannered Labidochromis or non-aggressive Malawi species.