Southern Mouthbrooder
NameSouthern Mouthbrooder
Scientific NamePseudocrenilabrus philander
Common NamesSouthern Mouthbrooder, Dwarf African Mouthbrooder, Philander Cichlid, Southern Dwarf Mouthbrooder
FamilyCichlidae
OriginSouthern Africa, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo
Temperamentsemi-aggressive
Dietomnivore
Care Levelintermediate
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)30
Max Size (Inches)5
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)72-79
pH Range7.0-8.0
Compatible SpeciesRobust Barbs, Larger Tetras, Rainbowfish, Synodontis Catfish, Other similarly sized, semi-aggressive cichlids (with caution)
Description
The Southern Mouthbrooder is a small, colorful cichlid native to Southern Africa, known for its distinctive mouthbrooding behavior where the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth. Males display vibrant blue and orange patterns, especially during breeding, and can be territorial. This species is a hardy and interesting addition to a species-specific or carefully chosen community aquarium.
