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Callochromis Macrops

Large-Eyed Mouthbrooder ~ Paratilapia Macrops Family: Cichlidae

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Callochromis macrops Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Frank Schneidewind

   Because the Callochromis Macrops has such big bold eyes, it is also referred to as the 'Large-Eyed' Mouthbrooder!

   The large colorful eyes on the Callochromis Macrops are one thing that you notice right away. It is an very beautiful sand dwelling cichlid but also more aggressive. It can be kept with featherfins and other sand cichlid species, but will not get along with conspecifics. Fortunately, unlike other Lake Tanganyikan cichlids, it is easy to tell male and female apart. This makes it easier to purchase a balanced group of one male and several females. Males of the “red” variety are very nicely marked adding a nice contrasting color to the tank. Tank raised males seem less aggressive toward females. Do not house more than one male. They are actually only mildly aggressive to other fish that do not have a similar size or shape.

   The Callochromis Macrops is easy to moderate to care for as long as regular water changes are done. Provide them with a sandy or fine gravel substrate along with lots of rock formations and plants. This fish will breed in captivity, and the plants will provide cover for the the females and newly hatch fry.

   Callochromis Macrops and Large-Eyed Mouthbrooder are common names for these fish. Others are Macrops 'Red', and in german 'Southern Large-Eyed Muzzle Breeder' (Südlicher Großaugen-Maulbrüter). Different locations have different color variations and they are identified from points in the Lake where they are caught. These names are implemented as add-ons ('tagged on' to the end the scientific name), such as C. Macrops (Kasanga). Others include Moliro,Tanzania, Isanga, Kafungi, Kantalamba, Katoto, and Namansi. It is important to keep conspecific varieties and similar species separate to help prevent hybrid strains from entering the trade, thus losing the true color forms.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Callochromis Macrops or Large-Eyed Mouthbrooder was described by Boulenger in 1898. These fish are endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa, primarily in regions south of Nyanza. They are found over sandy bottoms near rocky areas feeding on insect larvae, small mollusks, and Aufwuchs. Aufwuchs refers to tough stringy algae that is attached to rocks. Aufwuchs can contain insect larvae, nymphs, crustaceans, snails, zooplankton and mites.

Status:
   This species is listed on the IUCN Red List with the status of 'LC', meaning 'Least Concern'.

Description:
   The Callochromis Macrops or Large-Eyed Mouthbrooder has some characteristics that distinguish if from other Lake Tanganyika cichlids. Their eyes are large and they have less of the typical torpedo shaped body. Also the belly it is flat instead of rounded, which contributes to the appearance of having a higher rounded back. They have a “V” shaped tail and the females are typically smaller and silver. Different locations have different color variations, here are a few:

• Kasanga: Males have a dark appearance, a blue to lavender color. There are faint black vertical bars alternating with slightly lighter bars formed by yellowish scales and outlined in the dark body color. The belly is lighter with the same scale patterning. The anal fin has one "egg spot" at the very end. The tail fin has orange in the crook of the "v" shape and the eyes have orange in the iris.
• Moliro: This variety is typically referred to as 'red'. It is very beautiful and one of the most desired of the color variations. The males have dark orange scales that fade to yellow toward the belly. They are outlined in a dark orange to burgundy. Some of the scales at the top of the back have electric blue in their coloring. There is also an electric blue line that runs across the entire top of the fish. The dorsal, tail and anal fins also have a mix of blue with a reddish burgundy color, and the anal fin has a single light colored egg spot at the tip. The pelvic fin is a dark red orange. The nose has more of the electric blue with the gill plate is edged in a dark brown/red color.
• Namansi: This variety has a very interesting coloration with a basic gray scale color outlined in dark brown or white closer to the belly. The dorsal fin, forehead and pelvic fins are yellow, while the tail fin and anal fin seem almost clear with a hint of blue/lavender on the edges. The anal fin has an orangish gold color egg spot at the tip. The male's head is basically chocolate brown with some specks and irregular lines in gray/white. The iris has gold coloring.
• Tanzania: This variety looks like a cross between the Moliro and the Namansi locations. The body is basically grayish white with a band of orange to orange red that runs vertically from the lower jaw to the gill and then through the middle of the body. The rest of the body has mottling of light brown on top and more of the gray white at the belly. Fins have a light yellow color with hints of orange and chocolate brown. The iris is an orange red coloring.

   All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have and that is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. Cichlids have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positions and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
   Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense “smells” in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being “sampled” for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to “smell” the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and cichlids are thought to be closely related.

Size - Weight:
   The Callochromis Macrops grows to a length of a little over 5” in males (13.5) and slightly smaller in females.

Care and feeding:
   The Callochromis Macrops is an omnivore. In the wild they feed on insect larvae, small mollusks, and Aufwuchs. Aufwuchs refers to tough stringy algae that is attached to rocks and can contain insect larvae, nymphs, crustaceans, snails, zooplankton and mites. In the aquarium they can be be can be fed mysis shrimp, daphnia, live brine shrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae, thawed frozen foods, flakes and other foods made for Lake Tanganyikan cichlids. Sand is chewed as they search for foods. Feed 2 to 5 small pinches of food a day in smaller amounts instead of a large quantity once a day. All fish benefit from vitamins and supplements added to their foods.
   A tank that is 100 gallons or 4' (130 cm) in length is recommended. They do fine in either freshwater or brackish freshwater but need good water movement along with very strong and efficient filtration. For freshwater an optional practice is to add 1 heaping teaspoon of salt per 11 gallons of water. This is considered to be a simple and natural remedy for wounds, minor fungal infections and film over the eyes of fish in transit. Using a marine salt (used for salt water fish) will add some trace elements. Rocks and a sandy or small gravel substrate will make them feel comfortable. Sand will be used to build a breeding nest. Plant cover for females and helps fry to have a higher survival rate.
   Do normal water changes of 10% to 15% biweekly or weekly, depending on stocking numbers. The Lake Tanganyika cichlids cannot handle large water changes very well unless the new water chemistry closely matches the water they are in. If a large water change is needed, changing 15% every couple of days should bring water back to normal. This inability to tolerate large water changes is due to Lake Tanganyika being very deep and the water tends to stay stable.
   These fish are susceptible to typical fish ailments, especially if water is stale and of poor quality and oxygenation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Water changes, not overfeeding or overcrowding, and observation along with feeding your fish the proper foods (thawing frozen food and adding vitamins) will keep them in optimum health.
   One common problem is Ich. It can be treated with the elevation of the tank temperature to 86° F (30° C) for 3 days. If that does not cure the Ich, then the fish needs to be treated with copper (remove any water conditioners). Several copper based fish medications are available for Ich. Copper use must be kept within the proper levels, so be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions. You can also combine increasing the temperature with an Ich medication treatment. A copper test also can be used to keep the proper levels.      

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 10 - 13 dH
   Ph: 7.8 - 9.5
   Temp: 75 - 80° F (24 - 27° C)

Lake Tanganyika is the second to largest lake in the world, thus contributing to a low fluctuation in Ph and temperature. Several things all Lake Tanganyika cichlids need are:

1. Stable temperatures kept within acceptable limits.
2. Lots of oxygen to survive. Lake Tanganyika is a very oxygen rich lake. Bubblers need to be going day and night, even if there are plants.
3. Avoid overfeeding and overstocking.
4. Do a 10-15% water change weekly.
5. Regularly check nitrates (no more than 25 ppm), Ph (less than 7 is not tolerated), total hardness and carbonate hardness.

Social Behaviors:
   The Callochromis Macrops can be kept singly or one male with 4 to 6 females. They are very aggressive toward those of the same species, even to the females, though they will tolerate those of a different genus. It is a semi-aggressive community cichlid that can be kept with featherfins and other sand cichlid species. Though they will not get along with conspecifics they are actually only mildly aggressive to other fish that do not have a similar size or shape.
   Do not house more than one male or with other color variations of Callochromis Macrops to avoid cross breeding and losing pure bred lines.

Sexual Differences:
   Males are larger and have more color, while the females are typically smaller and silver.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Callochromis Macrops has been bred in captivity. Though they are mouthbrooders, males do not form a bond with the females. The females care for the young alone. The male forms a nest from a pile of sand that is about 13” (35 cm) and near a spawning platform. Thus the need to use sand as a substrate.
   The male pursues the female to lure her to his nest. There he makes his egg spotted anal fin appear to be a 3 dimensional egg by folding it. This tricks the female into laying her eggs. Once she lays the eggs, she picks them up in her mouth. She then notices the other “egg” on the male’s anal fin . She mouths that area until he releases sperm, which she takes into her mouth to fertilize the eggs. The female will carry the eggs for several weeks and can produce a clutch ranging from 25 to 60 fry. She will protect them for a few weeks after being released. See information on breeding cichlids in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Callochromis Macrops or Large-Eyed Mouthbrooder are rarely found online or in fish stores, but may be special ordered. Purchase from a reputable dealer, due to hybridization it takes a trained eye to choose the correct color strain.

Author: Carrie McBirney

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