Snow White Cichlid Fish: Care, Breeding in Aquarium (Guide)

This Fish species is the color form of the Pindani Pseudotrophyus, obtained as a result of selection. In these fish, the body is elongated, and slightly flattened from the sides, the scales are white and may have a slight blue tint, and the eyes are red.

This was the reason to call Pseudotropheus socolofi Albino the Snow White Cichlid Fish. When bred in an aquarium, the cichlid grows up to 15 cm. The color of the fish is the same regardless of gender.

snow white cichlid fish

Juveniles differ from adults in scales of a darker shade.

  • Fish size: 15 cm.
  • Temperature: 24-27 ° C
  • pH of water 7.5-8.6
  • Behavior: Aggressive
  • Habitat layer Bottom
  • Flock Single
  • Water type Fresh
  • Complexity of content: Easily

difference between male and female Snow White Cichlid

The main difference between the males of the snow prince and the females is the size of the individuals. “Boys” are larger than “girls”, their frontal part of the head is larger, and their dorsal fins are sharply pointed.

In length, males reach 12-15 cm, while in females the body length is on average no more than 9 cm. In males, several yellow spots can also be observed on the anal fin.

Here is guide on Longest Living Aquarium Fish for you.

Snow White Cichlid Fish (Pseudotropheus socolofi Albino) Habitat

The ancestor of the Snow White Cichlid Fish or Pseudotropheus pindani (Pseudotropheus socolofi) is one of the endemic species of Lake Malawi in Africa. It belongs to the Mbuna group of fish that live in shallow waters in the rocky areas of the lake.

pseudotropheus socolofi albino

Snow White Cichlid Fish care and maintenance

Snow White Cichlid Fish or Pseudotropheus socolofi albino is not demanding to care for, so even beginners can keep and breed them. And in order for the fish to feel as comfortable as possible, you must follow a few simple rules.

  • Keep cichlids like a harem. There should be 2-3 females per male. Keeping several males in the same aquarium is not recommended, as they will begin to show territorial aggression towards each other.
  • Allocate a spacious aquarium for albino cichlids. Based on a minimum group of 3-4 individuals, a container with a volume of 150 liters or more will be required. This will be enough for active movement and will provide the fish with a sufficient amount of territory. If other aquatic organisms live next to them, the size of the aquarium should be larger so that there is enough space for everyone.
  • To decorate the place of residence of snow-white fish, it is recommended to use stones, grottoes, gravel and coral chips. This will allow you to recreate as closely as possible the natural habitat of the pseudotrophyus – the rocky areas of Lake Malawi in shallow water.
  • If you want to green your aquarium, it is preferable to use plants with tough leaves and sturdy roots. The latter can be protected from cichlids by planting the plants in separate pots.

WATER PARAMETERS FOR IDEAL CONTENT

In an aquarium with snow cichlids, it is recommended to maintain the following hydrochemical parameters:

  • temperature – 24-27 ° C;
  • hardness – 8-20 German degrees;
  • acid-base balance – 7.5-8.6.

It is necessary to install an external filter and a productive aerator, plus regularly siphon the soil, since these fish need clean water. It is also imperative to replace from 1/4 to 1/3 of the water volume.

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what to feed to Snow White Cichlid Fish?

Pseudotropheus socolofi albino is omnivorous. However, to maintain the health of fish, their diet must be structured according to the scheme: 70% plant food and 30% protein products.

In addition to protein foods, the following plant foods can be used:

  • nettle leaves;
  • chopped raw pumpkin;
  • chopped dandelion stalks.

You can diversify the diet of snow-white cichlids with the help of dry food.

They serve as a source of many vitamins and trace elements, have a balanced composition and are often made specifically for feeding certain types of fish. 

Experienced aquarists recommend using these products from renowned companies:

  • Tetra Malawi
  • TetraPro Algae
  • Tetra Cichlid Algae Mini
  • Sera granugreen
  • Sera cichlid green
  • JB NovoMalawi

Most of these foods are designed to feed the herbivorous Mbuna group fish.

Feeding fish should be in portions, it is advisable to give them food several times a day. If the cichlids are fed too much, the food can remain on the bottom and start to rot, leading to disruptions in the water chemistry.

Detail guide on Cichlids Yellow.

snow white cichlid breeding

Pseudotropheus socolofi albino reaches sexual maturity at the age of 10-12 months. Snowfish can spawn in a shared aquarium, but it is recommended to use a separate spawning box to preserve the offspring. In it, as in the main aquarium, they spread more stones and sand. It is advisable to use stones with a flat surface, where it will be convenient for the female to spawn.

Some aquarists recommend placing ceramic pots in the spawning area. When laid on their side, they can be attractive enough hiding places for snow cichlids.

In total, the female produces from 3 to 9 dozen eggs, which she collects in her mouth after fertilization.

Throughout the entire incubation period, which can take from 2 to 3 weeks, the fish refuses to eat and loses weight. When fry appear, the mother continues to be near them, at night or in case of danger, hiding the children in her mouth again.

In the early days, the fry can be fed with daphnia and brine shrimp, or with specialized feed for the young. Under good conditions, the snow prince can live in an aquarium for up to 6-8 years.

snow white cichlid tank mates

Most experts and owners of the Snow Prince agree that Pseudotropheus socolofi albino is best kept in a species aquarium, despite the relatively peaceful behavior of these cichlids. If you plan to be close to other species, you should pay attention to proportionate fish with a similar temperament, which will be able to fend for themselves.

suitable snow white cichlid tank mates are:

  • melanochromies
  • labidochromis
  • labeotrophies
  • large barbs
  • some catfish
  • blue dolphins, etc.

It is not recommended to inhabit fish with veil fins near pseudotrophies, aggressive cichlids will nibble them. Too quiet and slow fish will be forced to hide constantly. And very small neighbors can be perceived by the omnivorous snow prince as potential food.

snow white cichlid alternatives

The progenitor of the snow prince, Pseudotropheus socolofi, deserves special attention. It is also known as Pseudotropheus pindani. Representatives of this species have a uniform blue or blue color of the scales. However, sometimes you can notice transverse stripes, the shade of which is slightly different from the main one.

All fins of fish often have dark, almost black stripes.

They are located closer to the edges of the fins and act as edging. The head of the Pindani pseudotrophyus is large, with large eyes and a thickening in the frontal part.

FAQs about Snow White cichlids eat

What plants do cichlids like?

Experienced owners of the snow princes recommend planting hygrophila and Vallisneria as additional plant food. These pseudotrophies are very fond of eating such aquatic plants.

How do you breed Snow White cichlids?

To speed up the spawning process, aquarists recommend adding warmer water to the Pseudotropheus socolofi albino tank during the change.

What do Snow White cichlids Fry eat?.

Experienced aquarists recommend giving them live dust in the first 10 days after the emergence of fry. And only then feed the young with Artemia or Daphnia. This will avoid possible digestive problems if the feed is too large and difficult to digest.

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