Pseudotropheus socolofi, also known as the Powder Blue cichlid or Pindani, is a fairly well-known and popular fish among the cichlid community.
Both males and females of the species have a light blue body with the males usually having a brighter blue sheen. Both sexes also display egg spots on the anal fin with the males […]

Most African cichlids prefer different water quality than the fish in your other tanks. They come from lakes where the pH and water hardness are higher. Hobbyists often keep the pH around 7.8. High-quality water and frequent changes are necessary.
The best way to enjoy them is to build a big rock pile in your tank. […]

Another very popular aquarium fish that comes from Lake Malawi is the Pseudotropheus estherae or Red Zebra.
Because these cichlids are so brightly colored and constantly on the go, they are truly aquatic entertainers. The males of this species have a light blue body with several darker vertical “stripes” and bright yellow egg spots on their […]

One of the big bruisers of the cichlid family, Tilapia buttikoferi is a smart and outgoing fish with a bit of a mean streak.
This handsome species sports alternating black and yellow/white stripes on a stout body. Because of its large size (up to 16 inches) it is also used as a food fish. But in […]

The Pelmatochromis pulcher, also called the Dwarf Cichlid or Kribensis, is a wonderful little fish for novice aquarists and one of the few cichlids that can be kept in a community tank.
This attractive species is yellowish in color with 2 dark horizontal stripes running across the top half of its body and a prominent red […]

Photo copyright: Andrzej Zabawski. Courtesy of www.akwafoto.pl
Many aquarists recognize the bright yellow coloration of Labidochromis caeruleus but it can also be found in a rarely seen blue and white form. This Lake Malawi cichlid will not only add beautiful color to your aquarium but it is also easy to care for and breed, as far […]

With a fiery personality to match its fiery red coloration, Hemichromis bimaculatus, also known as the Jewel Cichlid or Jewelfish, is a fearless fighter. It will even take on and defeat much larger competitors! This lovely but pugnacious fish is covered with bright blue green iridescent flecks on its red and orange body. When Jewelfish […]

Photo copyright: Д. Ванюшкин. Courtesy of www.malawi.cichlids.ru
The Labidochromis chisumulae is a popular cichlid for the home aquarium. Endemic to Chisumulu Island in Lake Malawi, the males grow to 3½” and are usually colored a beautiful light blue with several dark vertical bands distributed across the body and several yellow egg spots on the anal fin.

Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, Lake Nyassa, or Lake Niassa after the Yao word for “lake” (officially called Niassa in Mozambique), is the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley system.
The lake is about 560 km long and 75 km wide at its widest point, with a total area of approximately […]

The Albino Peacock Cichlid does well in an aquarium that is at least 50 gallons with plenty of rocks for territories and a sandy bottom. The males are usually only aggressive towards their own species.
Provide multiple females for the male, as it will take the stress off of the female carrying the eggs. Incubation is […]

 The Blue Johanni Cichlid, Melanochromis johanni, comes from the shallow waters of Lake Malawi, Africa. The male is gray/black with blue-gray longitudinal markings with the typical spots on the anal fin, and is considerably larger than the female. The female is a dull golden color with rounded fins and no spots.
A large aquarium with plenty […]

The Blue Peacock Cichlid, Aulonocara nyassae, comes from the rocky, sandy shores of Lake Malawi, Africa. The males are a bright yellow to metallic blue, whereas the females take a drab brown to gray color.The Blue Peacock Cichlid does well in an aquarium that is at least 50 gallons with plenty of rocks for territories […]

 The Neolamprologus Brevis Cichlid originates from the rocky coastal waters of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. This species is much smaller, only attaining a maximum size of 2-1/2 inches. They are one of the few shell dwelling species in which the male and female will share the same shell. Their bodies are elongated in shape and is […]

The Calvus Cichlid originates from the Southwestern rocky coastal waters of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. This species is very slow growing, taking over 6 months to reach an inch and a half long, and over two years to reach sexual maturity. Their bodies are very thin and compact and are dark black in color with many […]

The Lamprologus Caudopunctatus Cichlid, also called the Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus Cichlid, originates from the rocky Zambian coastal waters of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. This species is one of the smaller of the cichlids, only attaining a maximum size of 3-1/2 inches. Their bodies are silver in color with a tan hue, and the dorsal and anal fins […]

The Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid is also known as the Cobalt Blue Cichlid or Zebra Malawi Cichlid and comes from the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, Africa. The coloration of the Cobalt Blue is a pale blue background with seven to eight blue-black bars with four orange egg-shaped spots on the anal fin.
The Cobalt Blue […]

The Compressiceps, an African Cichlid, is currently classified as Dimidiochromis compressiceps. It was formerly known as Haplochromis compressiceps, and is endemic to the waters of Lake Malawi. It may also be listed under the genera Paratilapia, Haplochromis and Cyrtocara. Often referred to as the Malawi Eye-biter, it is the only known predator to eat its […]