The Plzeň Aquarists Association IRIS invites all aquarium enthusiasts to the autumn aquatrade.
November 15, 2025 (Saturday)
📍Location: Dormitories of the SPŠ Transport, Karlovarská třída 99, Plzeň, tram stop no. 4 U Družby
🛍️ Event Program (9:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
We invite you to the traditional aquatrade, where you will find:
- Quality fish
- Live plants
- Feed
- A wide range of aquarium supplies and more!
💡 Consulting Service
Take advantage of the consultation opportunity! Members of the IRIS association are happy to provide expert advice and assist with your aquarium-related inquiries.
Orders for sales tables by November 13, 2025 at mobile 603 231 494 or info@irisplzen.cz
Those interested in membership in our association IRIS, historically the second oldest aquarium association in the Czech lands, can sign up at this event. We look forward to welcoming you among us!
Profile: Exochochromis anagenys (Oliver, 1989)
Size of males: approx. 25-30 cm
Size of females: approx. 20-25 cm
Coloration, Differences:
Males and females are almost equally colored.
Gold yellow with three black spots on both sides.
Males grow significantly larger. With large yellow egg spots on the anal fin and bluish head.
As juveniles, the sexes are very difficult to distinguish.
Minimum tank size:
from 250 x 70 x 50cm, from 1,000l
Diet:
Predator, primarily feeds on juvenile fish that it actively hunts.
In the aquarium, they accept flakes, granules, frozen, and live food.
Habitat in Lake Malawi:
The species is widely distributed throughout the lake and hunts over sandy areas and rocks for juvenile fish.
Reproduction:
Maternal mouthbrooder
My experiences with Exochochromis anagenys (Oliver, 1989)
Keeping in the aquarium:
This species is one of my favorite species from Lake Malawi.
Since these fish are quite large and very active swimmers and must be kept in a harem, the aquarium must have a minimum size of approx. 250 x 70 x 60 cm (approx. >=1,000l).
The tank can be designed as a Malawi transition zone. Larger open sandy areas with rocks or rock piles placed in between. The species requires a larger free swimming space in the tank.
The animals are fish predators, hunting and eating smaller fish in the lake. The offspring of other species in the tank are therefore at least endangered!
The species is best kept as a harem of 1M / 3F. In larger aquariums, larger groups of the animals also work.
Diet in the aquarium:
The fish eat juvenile fish that they actively hunt in the lake. Therefore, a carnivorous, protein-rich diet for the animals is necessary. They accept flakes and granule food. Frozen and live food can also be given occasionally.
Please feed sparingly and with high-quality food (low carbohydrates).
Behavior in the aquarium (my experiences):
The species, where females and males look very similar, is a rather calmer Malawi predator in the aquarium, that gets along well with other species and is not aggressive. During courtship, it digs a small sand pit, usually under or next to a large rock. Here, the behavior of the male changes. The calm hunter becomes a somewhat rough character, which defends a minimum of 200 cm length in the aquarium fiercely. Moreover, he hunts his females very persistently, intensely, and until they are ready to lay eggs and swim into his pit. The courtship and hunting can last several days.
I have been able to obtain about 50 juvenile fish per brood several times, raise them, and give them away. The loss was very low, only about 3-5 juvenile fish on average.
The females brood for about 4 weeks and then release the fry at about 10-12 mm in size. The little ones are not further cared for and are left to fend for themselves from the first day after being released.
The fish are gold yellow in color and have three black spots on the left and right sides, which they can completely hide depending on their mood, making them entirely gold yellow. The dominant male also becomes bluish on the head, which then transitions into gold yellow. In my opinion, they are extremely beautiful and elegant fish.
Co-habitation in the aquarium:
A stocking with larger, not too sensitive fish must be chosen in the tank. However, the other fish should not be too rough and aggressive.
The species is, like many Malawi predators, quite a big "sensitive" fish, and they do not like changes in stocking, setup, or constant attacks from rougher other fish, reacting quickly with stress and taking it badly. This can possibly lead to diseases if it becomes prolonged and too severe.
Due to their colors and behavior, they are a real eye-catcher in any non-Mbuna Malawi aquarium. Even in a larger group in a suitably designed species tank, they are a highlight.
My conclusion:
A very beautiful and also special Malawi predator species. With their gold yellow, shiny coloration, the bluish head of the males, and their slim, torpedo-shaped body, they represent a true highlight in the aquarium.
They are very fast swimmers, so one has to be careful when opening the aquarium that they do not jump out.
As mentioned, one of my favorite species from Lake Malawi. I have been keeping them for many years. However, one must ensure that they obtain good, stable offspring; unfortunately, there are also many overbred fish of this species available on the market! With which one usually only encounters significant problems in the aquarium! This can lead to large losses and casualties that cannot be remedied. There are also completely silver-colored fish of the species, which I do not find as appealing. The species is rarely found in Lake Malawi, and wild catches hardly come from Africa anymore.
Populace druhu v jezeře Malawi:
Placidochromis phenochilus (Trewavas 1935):
- Chesese
- Chirwa Island
- Mdoka
Placidochromis sp. ‚phenochilus tanzania:
- Lupingu
- Makonde
Profil - Placidochromis phenochilus Mdoka White Lips
Velikost samců: cca 18-21 cm
Velikost samic: cca 14-17 cm
Zbarvení, rozdíly:
- Samci a samice jsou téměř stejně zbarveni, tmavě modří s sytě černomodrými pruhy.
- Samci jsou výrazně větší, vyšší se strmějším čelem.
- U mláďat jsou pohlaví jen velmi obtížně rozpoznatelná.
Velikost akvária:
od 200 x 60 x 50 cm, čím větší, tím lepší!
Potrava:
predátorská ryba s masitou stravou, vločky, granule, mražené a živé krmivo
Biotop v jezeře Malawi:
přechodová zóna s velkými samostatnými kameny a velkou volnou písčitou plochou
Rozmnožování:
maternální tlamovec (samice inkubuje jikry v tlamě)
Moje zkušenosti s Placidochromis phenochilus Mdoka White Lips
Chov v akváriu:
- Jelikož tento druh dorůstá poměrně velkých rozměrů a měl by být chován ve skupinách, musí mít akvárium minimální rozměry 200 x 60 x 50 cm, čím více ryb, tím větší akvárium.
- Nádrž by měla být uspořádána jako přechodová zóna Malawi. Větší volné písčité plochy s, mezi nimi umístěnými, velkými kameny. To vyhovuje způsobu příjmu potravy tohoto druhu. Tyto ryby jsou pronásledující, které plavou za většími druhy, jež prosévají písek při hledání potravy, a požírají potravu vyplašenou a zvířenou v písečném oblaku.
- Nejlepší je chovat skupinu cca 3 samci / 5 samic. To odpovídá potřebám těchto velmi sociálních ryb. Možný je však i chov v harému 1 samec / 3 samice. Vždy je třeba brát ohled na velikost dostupného akvária.
Strava v akváriu:
- Ryby požírají drobné bezobratlé, hmyz, červy atd., které se nacházejí v písku nebo jsou zvířeny rybami, které před nimi plavou a ryjí v písku (tzv. "sand-sifters"). Je tedy nutná karnivorní strava. Přijímají vločkové a granulované krmivo. Mražené a živé krmivo však může být také občas podáváno.
- Pozor, tento druh snadno ztuční, což může vést ke zdravotním problémům. Krmte prosím střídmě a kvalitním krmivem (s nízkým obsahem sacharidů).
Chování v akváriu (moje zkušenosti):
- Ryby, když jsou umístěny jako mladé, jsou dlouho velmi mírumilovné a pohybují se ve své skupině. Během období tření si však tento druh zabírá teritoria, většinou větší, ploché kameny, které pak velmi vehementně brání. Když samci dospějí a dvoří se, velmi agresivně napadají jak příslušníky vlastního druhu, tak zejména cizí ryby, i když jsou větší.
- Ostatní osádka by neměla být příliš agresivní, ale měla by být dostatečně robustní.
- Ryby mohou měnit své zbarvení od téměř světle modré po tmavě modrou, se sytě černomodrými pruhy. To se děje v závislosti na jejich náladě; dominantní samec je často sytě tmavě modrý se sytě černými pruhy.
Společně ve stejné nádrži:
- Je třeba zvolit osádku s většími, robustními rybami v akváriu (např. Non-Mbunas, malawijští dravci). Optimální by byla například velká cichlida, jako je Fossochromis rostratus, jako doprovodný druh, což by ovšem vyžadovalo ještě větší akvárium.
- Díky svým barvám a chování jsou tato ryby nepřehlédnutelné i ve vhodném jednodruhovém akváriu..
Moje závěry:
Velmi krásný a také zvláštní druh Non-Mbuny z jezera Malawi, který se svým nádherným stínovaným, lesklým modrým zbarvením a bílými, tlustými pysky stane skutečným vrcholem každého akvária. Tyto ryby mají působivé, majestátní chování ve větší skupině. Velmi se mi líbí a chovám je u sebe v akváriu ve stylu Malawi už mnoho let. I když občas dochází k divočejším potyčkám, při kterých se otřásá krycí sklo.
A bit overgrown so you can't see the shrimp and fish, but I still like how overgrown it is like a jungle. I'll let it grow more so it can be even more overgrown for the shrimp and fish; that's the only good thing.
Starting tomorrow, according to the organizers, "the largest European exhibition of parrots, pheasants, ducklings, reptiles, aquarium fish 🐠🐟🦐, and smaller mammals with arrangements of exotic plants and trees" will take place at the exhibition grounds in Lysá nad Labem.
I visited the exhibition last year, where aquarium fish were significantly represented, thanks in part to the Rychnov association Akva-tera, which had a beautiful display at the Exotika 2024 exhibition. Right across from them was a very impressive terrarium display from REPTI PLANET, who will also be at the exhibition this year.
Not only aquarium and terrarium exhibits are worth attention, but also other animals, especially ornamental birds, which are represented in a wide variety, and additionally, the Czech Republic Championship for KPEP scored birds will take place. At the Exotika exhibition, you can of course consult with all the breeders and discuss your questions with them.
I therefore recommend visiting the Exotika exhibition, and I plan to attend it myself this year as well.
Habitat
- Transition zones (or Ecotones) between sand and rock biotopes at depths of 10 to 50 meters.
Characteristics
- Size: The fish reach a maximum length of about 8 to 10 cm.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females are visually difficult to distinguish, with males tending to be slightly more robustly built.
Aquarium Keeping
- Aquarium Size: The species is best kept in a group from which pairs can form. An aquarium with a minimum volume of 300 litres is recommended for keeping a group of 6 to 8 animals. Tank length 150 cm.
- Setup: Substrate of fine, round-edged river sand. A few stones to serve as territorial boundaries.
Diet
- Natural Diet: In the wild, they feed on small crustaceans living in the sand, which they sift out by filtering the sand with their gill rakers.
- Aquarium Food: In the aquarium, the food should be varied and consist of a mixture of small crustaceans, insect larvae (e.g., red mosquito larvae), dwarf shrimp, and Tubifex. Special dry food can also be supplemented.
Breeding and Parental Care
- Xenotilapia papilio is a biparental mouthbrooder, meaning that both parents share the brood care.
- The female lays the eggs on a flat stone, where they are fertilised by the male. The female then takes the eggs into her mouth. After about 11 days, the male takes over all or some of the fry to continue the care. The fish practice mouthbrooding for up to 6 weeks after the initial release of the fry.
