Nichols' Mouthbrooder Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Nichols' Mouthbrooder is a richly coloured dwarf African cichlid with an elongated body, a pointed head and well-developed fins. Males can show blue-green iridescence across the body, contrasting with reddish or orange tones in the fins and a dark eye stripe or facial markings. Females are generally smaller and less intensely coloured, although their breeding colours can become striking.

Nichols' Mouthbrooder is native to central Africa, particularly the lower and middle Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It occurs in relatively calm freshwater habitats, including vegetated margins, pools and quieter stretches of river.

A pair should have at least 80 litres, with an aquarium around 90 cm long preferred because floor space and territories matter more than height. Use fine sand or smooth small gravel, arrange rocks, wood and robust plants to create caves and broken lines of sight, and leave open areas for swimming. A stable, well-filtered freshwater setup with moderate flow, subdued lighting and secure hiding places suits their natural preference for sheltered habitats.

Males reach about 8 cm (3.1 inches), while females are usually smaller at around 6 cm (2.4 inches).

This species is an opportunistic omnivore that feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, crustaceans and other tiny organisms, along with some plant matter and detritus. Offer a varied diet of quality cichlid pellets or granules supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Small, regular meals help maintain condition without overfeeding.

They can be kept with similarly sized, robust African community fish that prefer comparable warm, neutral-to-slightly alkaline water, including peaceful barbs, larger African tetras and carefully selected surface-dwelling species. Avoid very timid fish, long-finned slow swimmers and small ornamental shrimp, which may be harassed or eaten. They are territorial when spawning, so combining multiple males in a modest aquarium can lead to serious conflict; a compatible pair or one male with several females is usually safer.

Nichols' Mouthbrooders are maternal mouthbrooders. Spawning usually takes place over a rock, flat surface or other suitable site, after which the female collects the fertilised eggs into her mouth. She incubates them for roughly two weeks, depending on temperature, and may continue sheltering the free-swimming fry when danger threatens. Provide caves, visual barriers and gentle filtration, and remove or protect tankmates if raising a full brood is the priority.

Males are larger and typically display stronger blue-green and red coloration, with longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females are shorter-bodied, rounder when carrying eggs or fry, and usually have more subdued colours.