Pseudotropheus socolofi(Powder Blue Cichlid)

Pseudotropheus socolofi is a brilliantly coloured mbuna with a bright blue body, prominent yellow egg spots on the anal fin, and black-and-turquoise blue fringe to the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. Regional varieties occur in different parts of the lake, having more or less visible vertical bars on the flanks and differences in fin colouration. There is also an albino variety.

Sexual dimorphism is weak. Mature males tend to be slightly bigger and sport a more brilliant blue colouration, but this will not be apparent with juvenile fish. Females sometimes have egg spots, so by itself the absence of egg spots does not prove a fish to be female.

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Fish information (behaviour and breeding):

A typical mbuna in terms of care. Needs an aquarium with lots of space, because these fish are extremely territorial and very aggressive. A dominant male will kill any other males kept with him if the tank is too small (less than 240 litres). Males are best kept singly with multiple females.

This species is herbivorous, and its diet must be mainly made up of algae and other green foods. Use meaty foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp, only occasionally.

Breeding is as for other members of the mbuna group. Females incubate relatively small clutches of eggs in their mouths. The male plays no part in broodcare.

Family Group:	African Cichlids
Distribution	Africa: Lake Malawi
Temperature	24-28 C
Size	Around 12 cm, females smaller than males
Water Parameters	Hard, alkaline water essential
Water PH	7.5-8.5
Sociability	Aggressive
Care Level	Easy
Water Chemistry	More than pH 7 - Alkaline
Schooling Fish	No
Diet	Special Needs

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Shop stock

The latest shops to have this fish in stock are listed below. Click on a shop name for full shop details, or click the link below the shops to view ALL shops that stock this fish.

	Maidenhead Aquatics @ Crowland	Peterborough	PE6 0JB
	Maidenhead Aquatics @ Lincoln	Lincoln	LN6 9BY
	Maidenhead Aquatics@ Harlestone Heath	Northampton	NN5 6UJ
	Maidenhead Aquatics@ Woking	Surrey	GU22 0NH
	Wildwoods	Middlesex	EN2 9BP
	Aquatic Design Centre	London	SW12 0PS

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Other fish added to TFF recently:

Other fish added to TFF/TF2YD recently can be viewed below.

	Scientific Name	Common Name
	Pseudacanthicus pitanga L024	L24, Red Fin Cactus Pleco
	Paraneetroplus synspilus	Red Head Quetzel Cichlid
	Piaractus brachypomus	Red Belly Pacu
	Astronotus Ocellatus 'yellow'	Lemon Yellow Oscar
	Cichlasoma sp. HYBRID	Flowerhorn Cichlid 'Short Body Super Red Dragon'