Care and Compatibility of Commando Cichlid - Nimbochromis venustus

Introduction

The Commando Cichlid has an elongated and laterally compressed body, with a large head and prominent mouth. Its coloration is impressive, ranging from light blue to bright yellow. Males are usually larger and more colorful than females.

Behavior

The Commando Cichlid, also known as Nimbochromis venustus, is a species native to Lake Malawi in Africa. It is known for its striking appearance and interesting behavior. They are territorial and aggressive fish, especially during the breeding season. They require a spacious aquarium with hiding places and rocky areas to explore.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Nimbochromis venustus is evident. Males are typically larger and have more vibrant colors, especially during breeding season, while females tend to be smaller and less colorful.

Reproduction

Breeding Commando Cichlids can be challenging. They are maternal mouthbrooders, which means the female will pick up the fertilized eggs in her mouth and protect them until they hatch. After hatching, the fry will stay in the mother's mouth for some time before being released. Providing suitable spawning sites in the aquarium is recommended to facilitate this process.

Aquarium Conditions

Nimbochromis venustus, commonly known as the venustus cichlid, requires a spacious aquarium with rocks to create structures and caves. It prefers alkaline water and a warm temperature. Aquarium décor should include large rocks and sand substrate. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a balanced diet.

Feeding

They are carnivorous fish and primarily feed on small fish and crustaceans in their natural habitat. In the aquarium, they can be fed with commercial foods in the form of pellets or flakes, but it is also important to include live or frozen foods in their diet to maintain their health and vitality.

Complexity

Caring for Nimbochromis venustus can be moderately challenging. They are territorial fish and can be aggressive towards other cichlids. It's recommended to keep them in a larger group or in an African cichlid tank. They are carnivores and accept a variety of foods, but prefer live and frozen foods.

In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Nimbochromis venustus (Commando Cichlid) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Nimbochromis venustus (Commando Cichlid) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Commando Cichlid with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 50 species compatible with the Nimbochromis venustus (Commando Cichlid) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.

Compatible species (50)

Compatible (12 Species)

Compatible without any restriction

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Similar Sizes (3 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

With Reservation (19 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Fire Fish Dragon Blood

Aulonocara Firefish

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Red Terror Fish

Mesoheros festae

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Elephant Fish

Gnathonemus petersii

Labidochromis caeruleus

Pearl Cichlid

Altolamprologus Calvus

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Showdown over territory (1 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Considerable size difference (15 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.