The evolution of true open-water predators is a rarity in the diverse family of Cichlidae (Konings, 1989). Ramphochromis macrophthalmus is one such cichlid. It’s sleek streamlined body, combined with a mouth full of very visible, needle sharp teeth makes this a formidable predator of the open waters of Lake Malawi. The main food item upon which this hunting machine has evolved is a small fish called “usipa” (Engraulicypris sardella) by the local fisherman (Konings, 1989). The small sardine-like fish are found in huge pelagic schools throughout the lake (Konings, 1989).
The name “Malawi Barracudas” has given this fish a bad reputation even before people have tried their luck with them. That fact combined with people’s first impression of the fish. These fish look mean, by my experience has been that they are no more aggressive than peacocks or similar type haplochromines. That is, much of the aggression that is witnessed in my tanks is directed towards the conspecific females. Therefore, your females must be in very good health and have sufficient hiding places if they are to withstand the constant attention of the males. The difference is when you put feeder guppies in the tank. While the peacocks are wondering why their flake food is moving, the Ramphs have already moved in and are polishing off the last of the feeders without contest! It is impressive to say the least.
The pair of Ramphs are housed in a 55 gallon aquarium with an unidentified pair of Haplochromine sp. “yellow dorsal” from the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi, a 5 inch male Glossolepis incicus, a 4 inch male Cyprichromis sp “jumbo blackfin”, and three Synodontis multipunctatus. The substrate consists of no more than 0.5 inches of beach sand. A nest in the substrate has never been observed in my tank. Nor has the male Ramph ever staked out territory. He just seems to follow the female around the tank and display. I think that the reason for this is in part due to the small confines of the tank. But I think that this is largely due to the fact that these fish can exhibit two very different spawning behavioral patterns (Kozoil, 1992). One pattern entails construction of shallow depression in the substrate to attract a gravid female. The other spawning behavior occurs in the water column proximal to some structure. Although I have fry from four different spawnings, I have only seen my Ramphs spawn once. The pair was witnessed spawning on the sand bottom in typical Haplochromine fashion. However, no nest was excavated and the pair moved around the tank, spawning in different locations. On the tenth day of mouth brooding I relieved the female of her fry. The number of fry is between 15 and 20. I once stripped the female about two days post spawn and recovered about fifty eggs. Only twelve fish survived the incubation period to the free swimming stage which is about 24 days.
The tank receives a weekly water change of no less than 25% and no more than 40%. The water comes out of the tap with a pH of 7.8. It is also generally high in calcium and phosphate which is typical of Florida water in general. Instant Ocean Brand salt is added to the tank at a rate of 1 heaping tablespoon for every ten gallons of water. The water is filtered with a Whisper 500 turbo with a Hydrosponge prefilter attachment added. To the prefilter I added two Hydrosponge stackables which gives me 3 sponges in all for the prefilter and incredible denitrifying capabilities. One of the two filter pads inside the filter are alternately changed every month and recharged with fresh carbon. The temperature is kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
My Ramphs were wild caught and therefore, for convenience, had to be weaned off of their natural live fish diet. After a two week period, I had them eating pelleted food. Now their daily diet consists of a homemade frozen mixture similar to Ocean Nutrition’s Formula Two, freeze dried plankton and vitamin soaked pellets.
If you have had bad luck in the past keeping large predatory Cichlids, then Ramphochromis macrophthalmus may be just the fish to bring your luck around. I highly recommend this unusual cichlid!
References cited:
Konings, A. 1989, Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat. Verduijn Cichlids and Lake Fish Movies. Zevenhuizen, Holland. 303 pp.
Kozoil, T. 1992, Cichlid News, Vol. 1, No. 2 pg 9, Aquatic Promotions, Inc.
Miami, FL.