Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: Calvus are endemic to rocky rubble areas of Lake Tanganyika in Africa, but there are a number of type-localities common in the aquarium trade that possess differences in appearance and patterning. This listing is for the Black Zambian Calvus, also referred to as just the Black Calvus, which are overall dark to dull gray in color with many tiny white dots. Calvus, similar to Compressiceps, are recognized for their very unique laterally compressed body shape among other cichlid fishes. To tell a Calvus from a Compressiceps, note that the slope of the forehead is flat in Calvus while Compressiceps have an indentation. A more difficult way to distinguish the two is that the forehead of Calvus are also scaleless, which is what ‘calvus’ translates to in Latin: bald! Calvus are best kept as a male-female pair, though most specimens are sold at a young age where distinguishing sex is near impossible. Adult males will have more elongated fins than adult females. An adult Calvus will grow to approximately 5″, with females averaging slightly smaller than males. This is an extremely slow growing species.

Diet Requirements: Calvus are a specialized predator. Their mouthparts elongate in order to fit between rock crevices and cracks to extract small invertebrate and fish prey. A diet made up of various high quality protein based foods are ideal. Such options include frozen brine shrimp, blood worms, and chopped prawns. Tubifex worms and earthworms are also a favorite. Calvus may accept sinking pellet foods and flake foods as a staple, but these should not make up the majority of their diet. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. We discourage feeding any live fish because they are often of little nutritional value and increase the risk of introducing disease.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 30 gallon aquarium is ideal for a Calvus. This cichlid cannot be put into a biologically immature aquarium. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm) as Calvus do not like high nitrates and deteriorating water parameters. The aquarium should have a finer substrate, driftwood and rocks for this cichlid to feel at home. Stacked rocks to create many hiding spaces and caves can encourage more outgoing behavior. African cichlid specific substrates, or even marine Aragonite substrate, are great choices because they will buffer the pH and alkalinity to levels characteristic of Lake Tanganyika that is needed for this species to thrive and spawn, if desired. Common tank mates for Calvus include Altolamprologus, Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, and other dwarf African cichlids from Malawi [note potential different water chemistry preferences, however; namely pH]. Calvus are not particularly territorial or aggressive, making them somewhat diverse in compatability for a cichlid. Avoid small fish that could be eaten. Recommended water conditions, 72-82° F, KH 10-20, pH 7.5-9.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 3/4” to 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.