Blue dolphin cichlid
Cyrtocara moorii
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Recommended tank
- 400 L
- Maximum size
- 20 cm
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 7.8–8.6
- Group size
- ≥ 4
- Diet
- Carnivore
Care at a glance
The blue dolphin cichlid is unusually peaceful by Malawi standards: it often hovers over the sand waiting for a digging neighbour to stir up something edible, rather than claiming a territory of its own. Adults develop a striking nuchal hump.
It grows large and genuinely needs a big tank, with a sand bed to allow its natural foraging behaviour. Despite its relative calm it is not a good match for small, slow fish — it will still see them as a snack.
Good to know
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.