Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Wouri'

Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Wouri' is collected from tributaries of the Wouri River estuary system in coastal Cameroon. Males carry a prominent dark lateral band on an olive-gold ground and display heightened finnage colour during courtship. Females, as with all taeniatus forms, are the stars of the breeding display — their bellies flush deep scarlet to violet-magenta when ready to spawn.

This form is somewhat more assertive than other taeniatus locales, making tank size and cave distribution important. Pairs bond tightly and will vigorously repel any fish venturing near the spawning cave. The female broods within the cave while the male creates a buffer zone, and fry are shepherded actively once free-swimming.

Maintain soft, warm, slightly acidic water matching the coastal Cameroon biotope. An 80–100 L well-planted tank with several cave options gives the pair confidence to colour up and spawn readily.

Water: 24–27°C, pH 5.5–7.0, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–12, KH 1–6). Tank: 80–100 L minimum; multiple caves and heavy planting are essential to reduce inter-pair aggression. Feeding: Varied diet of quality flake, micro pellets, and frozen/live brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworm. Breeding: Cave-spawner forming tight pair bond; female guards clutch, male defends perimeter. Compatibility: Peaceful with small schooling fish; keep only one pair per tank unless it is large and heavily divided.