Metriaclima Greshakei

Scientific Name(s): Metriaclima (Pseudotropheus) Greshakei
Common Name(s): Red top, Ice blue
Origin: Africa, endemic to Lake Malawi
Family: Cichlidae
Order:
Species Type: Pseudotropheus
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Life Span: 9-15 Years
Natural Habitat: Greshakei are found mostly at the southeast end of Lake Malawi, close to Makokola. This area has a rich sediment bottom with some underwater reefs .This area has many natural rock structure and many cave like areas within the rocks for hiding and spawning sites.
Diet: Omnivore, in the wild Greshakei like to eat spirulina that it scrapes off the substrate and rocks. It will eat Plankton when available. Greshakei readily accept flake and stick food and can be feed frozen or freeze dried plankton, krill or brine shrimp also. This fish is susceptible to bloat and a vegetable diet should be provided on a more regular basis.
Temperature: 78-82 degrees
PH: 7.8-8.6 and 10-20 dGH
Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallon minimum
Tank Region: Lower to mid region
Temperament: Males are aggressive to one another 1-3 m/f ratio should be kept with 1-4 or more .Very territorial during breeding. Males will be more aggressive toward other Greshakei males than towards other species.
Possible Tank Mates: Other Mbuna of similar species and size can be kept together. Mbuna of higher aggressiveness are recommended.

Filtration and Setup: Any HOB filter, mechanical, biological, chemical, or canister filter will do fine. Mbuna tanks should have heavy filtration and weekly water change of 50% should be considered. A 70 /30 mix of gravel to sand will work nice as will all gravel or all sand. Greshakei like hiding places so a lot of rock work should be provided. Caves can be provided from driftwood, root work and lots of rocks.


Coloration: Dimorphic, males are bluish white with a red to orange top fin and tail fin. Females will stay a reddish brown color. There is also an albino version which displays a snow white color.
Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder, these guys breed on a flat surface like slate or a flat rock. They do the breeding dance and the female broods the eggs in her caudal sac after the male fertilizes the eggs. Typically she holds the eggs for about 3 weeks and then they are released and maybe looked after for a few days tops if at all.