Pseudotropheus crabro

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Bumblebee cichlid

A male bumblebee cichlid

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Genus:	Pseudotropheus

Binomial name

Pseudotropheus crabro
(Ribbink & Lewis, 1982)

The bumblebee cichlid, Pseudotropheus crabro, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. It is also known as hornet cichlid. It is endemic to many regions of Lake Malawi and is found in different habitats but most frequently in large caves. This species prefers a pH range of 7.5–8.2 and a temperature range of 24–26°C.

The bumblebee cichlid has an elongate body with vertical yellow-and-black "bumblebee" bars. Juveniles are brightly colored but become darker when mature, especially for males. This fish is known for its ability to rapidly change its colors. They can grow up to 10 cm. They are mouthbrooders like many other cichlids from Lake Malawi.

In their natural habitats, the bumblebee cichlid is a cleaner specialized in feeding on parasites from larger fish particularly the catfish Bagrus meridionalis, which apparently recognises the species as a cleaner. Notable is that P. crabro has also been found preying upon the eggs of the bagrus catfish, but will change colour to a dark brown while doing so.

[edit] Aquarium Care

In the wild, the bumblebee cichlid is a specialized eater, but in aquarium they can eat whatever that is fed to them. Like other mbuna cichilds, this is a hardy and very aggressive fish that should be kept in a species or mbuna tank. The best practice is to keep one male with several females. Breeding is relatively easy. Females hold eggs and fry in their mouths for up to three weeks, then release a small number of healthy fry.