The bumblebee mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi. Pseudotropheus crabro are rock dwelling African cichlids where they inhabit large caves and boulders typical of mbuna species. This cichlid is known as the bumblebee cichlid but is also called the hornet cichlid and sometimes the chameleon cichlid. There is no doubt why the name bumblebee was selected, just looking at their appearance of vertical and yellow black bars resembling a bumblebee.

 

P. crabro are elongated cichlids which can exceed 6 inches in length. Like other Malawi cichlid fish this species is a mouth brooder. They will accept prepared aquarium foods designed for African cichlids and should include spirulina in their diet. This species has been known to be a specialized feeder in the wild preying on eggs of local catfish and even parasites from larger fish. Bumblebee fish will do well on flake food and pellets as well as freeze dried krill or plankton which they enjoy.

 

Bumblebee cichlids are relatively easy to spawn and like other fish from Lake Malawi they should be kept with a ratio of one male to three or more females. Check out the bumblebee cichlid breeding video below. Note how dark the colors become during spawning and how they behave in their spawning pit. Look at the video below of young P.carbo cichlids and note their colors and patterns at such a young age, it resembles their adult coloration.