Nimbochromis polystigma

Alternative names

 * Hyena Cichlid

Sexing

 * Much like its counterpart, the Venustus, the Nimbochromis Polystigma displays similar patterns and colors.

Males
The male is generally of a blue appearance with a more prominent blue on the head and gills. It may have slight yellow coloring around the abdomen with a Giraffe pattern throughout. Generally there is a bright yellow patch that will span from the fish's upper lip through to the front of the dorsal fin. The rear tip of the males dorsal fin has a very sharp tapering.

Females
The Female is typically less flamboyant in coloring. She has the same giraffe patterns but they are usually more prominent markings than the male. There is no blue on the female but a shiny silver with gold pearlecent coloring all over the body and the head is usually a more vibrant yellow than the rest of the fish. the female's dorsal fin is rounded towards the tail.

Tank compatibility

 * Polystigma will happily live among most African Cichlids. The males can be aggressive when territory is opposed but generally one of the more placid of the Cichlidae family.

Diet

 * This species is a predatory hunter and is best known for burying itself into the substrate and waiting for a smaller fish to swim by where it then will actively attack that fish.

They will eat a wide variety of cichlid specific foods including flake, pellets, live feeders, bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Feeding regime

 * Once to twice daily

Environment Specifics

 * Polystigma prefer a smaller grit substrate

Behaviour

 * Polystigma are (like most Cichlids) an aggressive predator fish, they generally like to hunt for their food but will accept commercial fish foods. There aggressive behaviour is generally only seen to smaller less aggressive fish. They can also become very aggressive if there is not a good ratio of female to male's in the tank. Generally it is recommended a 1:4 ratio (being 1 male 4 females)in any colony.

Identification

 * This fish can be easily identified by its bright Giraffe pattern (in females) and its bright blue with yellow markings (in the male) they are easily confused with Nimbochromis Venustus but posses slightly different characteristics.