Males up to about 23 cm total length; females up to about 18 cm
Recommended aquarium size:
An aquarium volume of at least 600 L is recommended.
Aquarium setup:
Aquarium length should be at least 150 cm. Provide a sandy
bottom with as much open sand as possible, interrupted by several
larger stones. Keep one male with two females; larger groups are
not recommended.
Diet:
Carnivorous predator. Preys mainly on other cichlids,
especially shell-dwelling species. Its large mouth and
dentition are adapted for piscivory.
Breeding:
Sexually active males defend territories and construct
sand-castle bowers about 50 cm in diameter. Eggs are
fertilized inside the female’s mouth; maternal mouthbrooder.
Aggression:
Robust but relatively calm. Because it is a predator,
it must not be kept with small cichlids that could be regarded
as prey.
Special notes:
An elongate torpedo-shaped predator with a narrow,
pointed head and large mouth. Sometimes placed in the genus
Sciaenochromis by some authors. Imported under trade names
such as “Torpedo” or “Dark Line Torpedo”.
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