|
|
|
Metriaclima fainzilberi is living in reasonable shallow water in rocky environments. They can be found along the coasts of the lake between Ngara and Mara Rocks in Malawi, also in Tanzania along the entire coast to Lumbaulo in Mocambique. Almost in every population of Metriaclima fainzilberi you can find O and OB-females, "marmelade cats" however are very rare. This marmelade cat (MC) and OB-female were caught in the neighbourhood of Ndumbi in the northeastern part of the lake. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 14 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 18 cm, females grow to about 14 cm. Metriaclima fainzilberi can behave intolerant against equal species, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species with multiple females and other mbuna in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places. In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with algae, invertebrates and plankton. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix. Food rich of algae like spirulina pellets or flakes is very important to them so this should not be missing on their menu. 
|