Yellow Acaras are tan in color with a faint black horizontal line extending from each eye down the sides of the fish's body. Faint orange markings may be evident, especially on the dorsal half of the fish. Iridescent yellow markings cover the lower... Read more >
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Although called the Blue Acara, this fish is actually more silvery-green, with pearly white markings along the body and face. They have an indistinct black horizontal stripe on their flanks. Males have an adorned dorsal fin, edged in orange-red,... Read more >
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This beautiful South American cichlid makes up for its temperament with its fantastic green-blue speckles throughout its body. The False Green Terror has an interesting pattern of iridescent green-blue stripes and speckles on its face as well. The... Read more >
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Convict Cichlids are so called due to the pattern of black bars adorning thier blue-grey bodies. Females will often have bright red, pink, or orange coloration on their bellies, particularly when she is spawning. As quite an aggressive cichlid,... Read more >
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The Red Devil has a background color that varies from pink to red from individual to individual. It may also have black spots on the body as well. Mature males will develop large fleshy lips.This can be a very aggressive cichlid and care should be... Read more >
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Roberts Cichlid is also known as the Blue Sifter, is a large Central American, but it is rather mild natured and may be a good candidate for a large semi-aggressive community. They do not tolerate single members of their species, but may be kept in... Read more >
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Apistogramma cacatuoides is a dwarf cichlid native to Peru. These fish have rather understated color in the wild, but have been selectively bred over the years to produce brightly colored specimens like "Sunburst". Males of this variant are tan and... Read more >
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The Redstripe Dwarf cichlid is native to several rivers of Colombia and Venezuela. Males are gold and tan with bright red stripes in the fins, a bright red area along the belly, and bright red spots on the face. Females are smaller and are colored... Read more >
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Malawi Hawks are built for speed and agility so they can snatch small mbuna for a quick meal. They have a sloping roman snout that easily distinguishes them from other cichlids. Large males are blue green in color with orange in the tails and... Read more >
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Oscar fish
(Astronotus ocellatus)
Oscars are one of the most popular cichlids kept in aquariums. They have interesting personalities, their curiosity and lazy nature make them quite endearing. They are avid eaters and will accept pellet, frozen, and live foods, though live foods... Read more >
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Aulonocaras are called Peacock Cichlids due to the fantastic coloration developed by dominant males. They are Malawi mouthbrooders, and there are many color variants that have developed within species at different points in the lake. Aulonocara... Read more >
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Aulonocara nyassae, is also known in the trade by several other names including the Blue Peacock, Icy Blue Peacock, and Nyasa Peacock, and is named for the intense blue coloration developed by dominant males. These males may also have some orange... Read more >
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Aulonocaras are called Peacock Cichlids due to the fantastic coloration developed by dominant males. They are Malawi mouthbrooders, and there are many color variants that have developed within species at different points in the lake. Aulonocara... Read more >
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Aulonocaras are called Peacock Cichlids due to the fantastic coloration developed by dominant males. They are Malawi mouthbrooders, and there are many color variants that have developed within species at different points in the lake. Aulonocara... Read more >
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Aulonocara maylandi, or the Sulfer Head Peacock, is named for the bright yellow blaze that develops from the snout of the fish through the dorsal fin. Sulfer Heads originate from Eccles Reef and West Reef of Lake Malawi.Maylandi tand to be rather... Read more >
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This beautiful Peacock features predominantly blue coloration with red or orange in the "shoulder" area and through the ventral fins when dominant. The dorsal fin usually has a white edge. Females are not colored, they are silver with darker bars. ... Read more >
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Aulonocara stuartgranti "Ruby Red" has been selectively bred for intense yellow-orange to red-orange coloration. The color on these fish has been developed by several breeders from Germany, The Netherlands, and the US, but the species hails from... Read more >
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Aulonocaras are called Peacock Cichlids due to the fantastic coloration developed by dominant males. They are Malawi mouthbrooders, and there are many color variants that have developed within species at different points in the lake. Aulonocara... Read more >
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This particular predator has a long, slender body with a dark, metallic blue body and a red anal fin with yellow or orange speckling in the fins and tail. The male may change color while courting and breeding. In the wild, the Malawi Trout lives in... Read more >
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Bream
(Chilotilapia rhoadesii)
Chilotilapia rhoadesii is a Malawi mouthbrooder also known in the trade as a Bream. They are relatively peaceful and are often found in groups in the wild. In the home aquarium they may be housed one or 2 males with several females and may be mixed... Read more >
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The Peacock Bass is a very large fish that makes a dramatic "pet" for large home aquariums or possibly warm-weather ponds. Small juveniles can be housed with other similarly aggressive fish but adults should be kept alone unless they are kept in a... Read more >
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Sieve Cichlids are referred to as several different genus names, some previously accepted, and others debated to be the current genus. They have been debated as Nandopsis, Cichlasoma and Parapetenia. They are attractive fish, with pale green base... Read more >
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This attractive cichlid is silvery-gold with black, horizontal, blotchy patches on the dorsal half, and a black stripe from the eye to the tail. Females develop red on their bellies, especially when mating, and males have iridescent blue-green... Read more >
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Red Fin
(Copadichromis borleyi)
Copadichromis borleyi "Gold Fin", formerly named Haplochromis borleyi, is a mouthbrooder originally hailing from Lake Malawi. Dominant males have yellow-orange bodies with blue heads and blue accents on the fins and tail. Females are grey with... Read more >
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Copadichromis chrysonotus is a peaceful haplochromine that schools in open waters of Lake Malawi. Breeding males are dark gray with blue flanks and a yellow anal fin. Copadichromis will accept both flake and pellet foods, as well as supplemental... Read more >
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The Ivory Head Mloto is a beautiful Copadichromis originally collected from Undu Reef in Lake Malawi. The dominant male is navy blue with a white blaze that runs from the snout extending through the dorsal fin. Females are dark gray. These fish... Read more >
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The juvenile coloration of the Red-finned Pike is very similar to other pikes, but the adult coloration is striking. The body is an olive-tan color and the fins and tail are adorned with bright red.This pike's behavior is varied, juveniles are... Read more >
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Crenicichla regani is sometimes referred to as jacunda, but is often known in the trade as the gentle pike. They are attractive fish with golden tan bodies, yellow accents in the face, and pale violet bellies. Females are more colorful than males.... Read more >
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The Ring-tailed Pike Cichlid is a large and attractive species found in creeks and rivers of South America. They are sometimes referred to as spangled pikes due to the sparkling white specks that adorn their bodies. They may need to be kept as a... Read more >
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The Blue Dolphin cichlid is a truly unique-looking fish. Both the male and female become soft blue in color as they mature. They also develop a hump on their heads, which can vary in size and shape. This hump and their unique mouth give them their... Read more >
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Though its nickname seems ominous, the Malawi Eye Biter does not necessarily practice this behavior. It is, however, quite an aggressive cichlid that should be kept with other cichlids of similar aggression. The Compressiceps is a beautiful cichlid... Read more >
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The Sunset Hap is found all over Lake Malawi, mostly in intermediate rocky locations where they can feed on small mbuna cichlids and insects. The dominant male develops silvery green-blue coloration with red-orange accents in the fins and tail, and... Read more >
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The Orange Chromide appears in light to dark shades of orange with small orange-red spots on the flanks. It is oval-shaped with a pointed mouth, looking similar to a Gold Severum. This fish is peaceful, though in the wild it does prey on fish fry... Read more >
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Exochochromis anagenys is sometimes referred to in the trade as the Malawi Tordedo. One look at this large, open-water cichlid, and you can tell it is a predator. Its mouth is designed for gripping small fish, usually Mbunas in the wild. Its... Read more >
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Possibly the most fantastic-looking of all the Eartheater species, the altifrons is magnificently colored in a basic gold body with red and turquoise spots in a horizontal stripe pattern. The elongated fins share this coloration, again in a spotted... Read more >
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This beautiful Geophagus is very different from other Geophagus species. It is best if these fish are kept with other South American cichlids rather than other eartheaters. The pearlscale features a gray coloration covered with large, iridescent... Read more >
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The Yellowhump Eartheater are part of a family of South American cichlids known as Eartheaters because they find most of their food by sifting through the substrate. They are relatively small members of this group, only reaching about six inches as... Read more >
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Red Hump Geophagus, Geophagus steindachneri , are part of a family of South American cichlids known as the Eartheaters. These fish will move aquarium substrate and gravel, cleaning it and sometimes redecorating the aquarium in the process. Red... Read more >
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Geophagus surinamensis are part of a family of South American cichlids known as the Eartheaters. These fish will move aquarium substrate and gravel, cleaning it and sometimes redecorating the aquarium in the process. The Surinam Eartheaters are... Read more >
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This new West African import makes a nice addition to the community tank. The body is long and slender with black vertical barring, resembling some of Julidochromis species. Males grow larger than the females, reaching 4" at maturity. The dorsal... Read more >
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This interesting fish has a very sloped, round head, especially males. Body color can vary greatly, some are almost white with pinkish-tones, others are grey or brown with faint stripes, and some have red in their faces. An interesting species, the... Read more >
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Originating from rivers from Guinea to Angola in Western Africa, Hemichromis elongatus is similar to other jewel cichlids H. fasciatus and H. frempongi, which are predatory jewels. It is attractive, with golden brown or olive coloration with black... Read more >
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This cichlid from rivers and tributaries in forests from Guinea to Liberia. It is quite aggressive for its size. It is attractive, with a bright red-pink coloration and rows of iridescent blue spots along the flanks and a black spot on each gill and... Read more >
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A male in breeding dress is absolutely stunning: Jet-black on the bottom half, and bright white over the dorsal. They are normally tan-green with sparkling scales and a pattern of irregular black spots along the mid-line. This species is very, very... Read more >
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Often confused with the Texas Cichlid, this fish has speckles that are smaller and appear more green, rather than blue like the Texas Cichlid. However, the Pearlscale shares a similar temperament. These fish are fine with other Central American... Read more >
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Texas cichlid
(Herichthys cyanoguttatus)
The Red Texas Cichlid is a big and beautiful hybrid cichlid that does not occur in nature, but is bred to have unique coloration. They should actually be considered more a Flowerhorn than a Texas Cichlid. Once full-grown, this fish has a red to... Read more >
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Pearse Cichlids are large and semi-aggressive. They are sometimes referred to as Herichthys species, but are indeed members of genus Cichlasoma. They have dusky orange coloration with a large patch of rich brown through the ventral region. These... Read more >
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Severum
(Heros efasciatus)
Severums are often misidentified as Heros severus a similar species that is rarely available in the trade. Heros efasciatus has several color variants several of which are line bred strains like the Green Severum. This strain is dark... Read more >
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The True Parrot Cichlid, Hoplarchus psittacus, is native to the black waters of South America. They prefer soft, acidic, and very clean water, and do not tend to do well if pristine conditions are not met.True Parrots have a reputation for being... Read more >
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This interesting looking cichlid has a very high forehead, making it appear almost square in shape. Coloration is generally yellow-brown, with a red tint to the fins, throat and eyes. This species is relatively peaceful with other mild-mannered... Read more >
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Blue mbuna
(Labeotropheus fuelleborni)
The OB Labeotropheus is immediately recognizable by its fleshy, overhanging snout and its unique orange, black and blue blotched coloration. Juveniles are blotched orange and black. Like most other Mbuna, this fish is quite aggressive and should... Read more >
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Similar to the fuelleborni in appearance, trewavasae have more slender bodies so that they can squeeze between rocks to get at algae. While their appearance varies, they are quite colorful, and may be solid blue or orange, but tend to exhibit OB... Read more >
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Yellow Labs are a strikingly beautiful shade of bright electric yellow. Their fins are tipped in black, the males more so than the females, though it is very difficult to tell the genders apart. This yellow color variant originates in the Lion's... Read more >
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The Dwarf Flag Cichlid is a colorful and peaceful dwarf cichlid. They have rounded bodies that are light brown with some darker markings on the face and head. Mature adults have an iridescent blue sheen with yellow-orange trim in their fins. They... Read more >
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Lethrinops albus is not as colorful as other denizens of Malawi, but their understated beauty is a complement to their peaceful nature. Albus is a silvery fish, males developing a light blue-green to green-gold iridescent sheen on the body with... Read more >
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Lethrinops auritus "Gold Senga Bay" known also as the Golden Sand-eater, is originally from Senga Bay in southern Lake Malawi. They are not as colorful as other denizens of Malawi, but their understated beauty is a complement to their peaceful... Read more >
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Female coloration of the Auratus is a pleasant combination of bright yellow with black horizontal stripes. Males have a similar coloration when juveniles, but they become mostly black with a horizontal white stripe, gray-brown in the dorsal area,... Read more >
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Female and juvenile coloration of Joanjohnsonae is pleasant combination of iridescent blue-green with golden orange speckling. Males develop powder blue body color with some black accents in the fins, and may show some faint barring. Females and... Read more >
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Melanochromis labrosus has questionable classification and unique physical appearance, bearing huge lips and monochromatic color. Both males and females are drab in color, brown with some yellow on the underside. Labrosus are especially aggressive... Read more >
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The Mesonauta genus features about a dozen different species other than the Festivum. The differences are very subtle, usually an additional bar or dorsal ray - something barely distinguishable. This beautiful cichlid features an oval shaped body... Read more >
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The Mesonauta genus features about a dozen different species other than the Festivum, and the chances that your festivus is actually another species is very good. The differences are very subtle, usually an additional bar or dorsal ray - something... Read more >
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Ram cichlid
(Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
Blue Rams are a delightful fish for the community aquarium. They feature stunning color, with yellow- orange bodies, and red markings in the eyes and fins, and iridescent blue spots all over. They also feature black markings, including a vertical... Read more >
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Fuscotaeniatus
(Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus)
Juvenile and female Fuscos have a beautiful brown-gold camouflage pattern common to almost all Nimbochromis. Dominant males develop stunning metallic blue color with intricate designs of red throughout the fins and sometimes along the flanks. The... Read more >
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The Elephant-nose Cichlid is similar to other Nimbochromis in mannerisms and color, displaying a blotched and speckled camo pattern. Males do gain some color when breeding, blue green in the face, and gold and orange in the fins. These fish can be... Read more >
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Nimbochromis polystigma, formerly Haplochromis, is a Malawi mouthbrooder found throughout Lake Malawi. Though often labeled as a very aggressive fish, this may be exaggerated due to its large adult size, 10-12 inches, and fish diet. Regardless,... Read more >
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Nimbochromis venustus is known as the Giraffe Cichlid or Kalingo, a predator from Lake Malawi. Females and juveniles are usually gray in coloration with relatively large brown spots that cover the entire fish. When dominant males reach sexual... Read more >
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Otopharynx lithobates "Zimbawe Rocks" is also known as the Sulphur-Crested Lithobate is a variant originally collected from Zimbawe Rock, Lake Malawi. Dominant males are dark metallic blue with a bright yellow blaze extending from the upper lip... Read more >
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Parachromis managuensis , known as the Jaguar Cichlid, has a very attractive pattern not unlike the camouflage of a jaguar cat. It also has the fierce predatory ability of it's namesake. It will make a quick meal of any fish small enough to fit in... Read more >
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Parachromis motaguensis, the False Yellowjacket Cichlid, or Motagua Cichlid, is one of many large predatory cichlids from Middle America collectively known as Guapotes. These are handsome fish, the males are yellowish-gold with red-brown speckles... Read more >
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Sarabian Cichlids are native to fast flowing, rocky bottomed rivers of Mexico. They are named for the man who first collected them, A.C. Buller. They have a unique appearance, with elongated bodies and rounded faces. This species is set apart... Read more >
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Kribensis
(Pelvicachromis pulcher)
These colorful dwarf West African cichlids are rather undemanding and can do well in most freshwater community tanks. They are most colorful while breeding. Females are tan and white with two dark, horizontal stripes, one from the nose through the... Read more >
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Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Kienke" is named for the village near where it is collected. They are tan with yellow in the throat and breast, with accents of blue and red in the fins. These colorful dwarf West African cichlids are rather undemanding... Read more >
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The Red Bay Snook inhabits river areas full of red lily plants which allow the fish to blend seamlessly amongst their foliage. This fish gets quite large, up to 16 inches, and occurs in both a green and a red form in nature. The green form is more... Read more >
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Placidochromis electra is called the Deep Water Hap. Dominant males are light blue with black on the underside and black bars particularly towards the gill. Females and juveniles are silver and may have a black bar at the gill.Placidochromis spend... Read more >
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Fenestratus
(Protomelas fenestratus)
Protomelas fenestratus is a Malawi mouthbrooder. The species has several color variants from different regions in the lake. The females and juveniles bear vertical bars on dusky silver bodies, while dominant males lack the bars and are metallic... Read more >
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Spindle hap
(Protomelas taeniolatus)
Protomelas taeniolatus "Fire Blue" is the predominantly blue color variant of the species. This fish is found all over Lake Malawi, but is believed to have originated in Makanjila Point. The dominant male exhibits intense blue-green coloration... Read more >
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Nichol's Dwarf Mouthbrooder is a small West African cichlid native to shallow forest streams of the Congo Basin. As with many African cichlids, the females have plain gray coloration. Adult males have bronze heads and metallic blue scales along... Read more >
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Pseudotropheus demasoni is a colorful mbuna, or rockdwelling cichlid. Both females and males are bright blue in color with dark bars. They are considered dwarf pseudos and they only reach about 4 inches. Pseudotropheus can be rather aggressive and... Read more >
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Slender mbuna
(Pseudotropheus elongatus)
Female elongatus are mouthbrooders, carrying fry in their mouth until they are large enough to be released. Keep in harem groups of 1 male to 4 females, as males will mostl likely kill a single female. Pseudotropheus are mostly herbivorous, but... Read more >
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Pseudotropheus saulosi is classified as a dwarf Mbuna, reaching a size of only 3-4 inches. These colorful little fish come originally from Lake Malawi. The males are blue with black vertical bars, and the mouthbrooding females are deep yellow. ... Read more >
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Socolofi is powder blue with black edges on the fins and tail. Females exhibit the same coloration as the males, but may lack the yellow egg spots on the anal fin. These Mbuna are found at various points of Lake Malawi near... Read more >
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Angelfish
(Pterophyllum scalare)
Angelfish are overwhelmingly popular in the aquarium hobby, and its easy to see why. With their assorted color patterns and beautiful flowing fins, these fish truly live up to their name. Platinum Angelfish have coloration between gold and white. ... Read more >
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Please note : This fish average about 1.5" in length. They are small and much more docile than regular Jack Dempseys and should not be kept with these fish. Electric Blue Dempseys do not naturally occur in nature, and it is debated whether they... Read more >
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Earth eater
(Satanoperca jurupari)
Satanoperca jurupari, previously known as Geophagus jurupari, and known in the trade as the Demon Eartheater hails from the rivers of Brazil. These fish are yellow-gray in color, and are speckled with shimmering iridescent scales. They have a... Read more >
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Electric Blues, sometimes called "Haplochromis Big Eye" in the past, hail from the Northern end of Lake Malawi. Dominant male Sciaenochromis ahli develop fantastic blue body color with accents of yellow on the tail and anal fin and a broad white... Read more >
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Blue discus
(Symphysodon aequifasciatus)
Discus are considered the Kings of the Freshwater fish! These beautiful, interestingly shaped fish can be quite rewarding when you take the time to care for them properly. Discus do best in groups. They also require pristine water conditions, with... Read more >
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This beautiful cichlid has a brilliant red throat, as its nickname would imply. The overall body color is a speckled silver with black markings. The elongated fins are trimmed in red and iridescent blue speckles. Firemouths are one of the more... Read more >
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The Zebra Tilapia is a West African cichlid with a temperament and care similar to that of its South and Central American cousins. It has vertical black and silver-tan stripes covering its body during its juvenile and adult phases. The black stripes... Read more >
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Tyrannochromis macrostoma is a large, predatory cichlid from Lake Malawi. While females are silver with brown markings, males have variable coloration ranging from blue to brown with an orange or yellow underside.Tyrannochromis reaches a large... Read more >
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This fish has been referred to as the Poor Man's Discus. Its color ranges from a light tan to a dark gray, with a tear-shaped black blotch on its flanks. There are rare variants with bright coloration. This fish is peaceful like discus. It does... Read more >
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These beautiful cichlids are silvery white with a powdering of black speckles all over the body. They have larger, more noticable spots at the base of the tail and on their sides. Many also have black stripes in the face and a large black patch on... Read more >
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The Black Belt Cichlid is native to calm pools and backwaters of Central America. This large, silvery-green cichild gets its name from the obvious black vertical stripe on the middle of its body. It also features a black spot at the base of the tail... Read more >
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Regan's Cichlid is a large, thick bodied fish with pale grey coloration and a few irregularly shaped black spots on its sides. As the fish mature, they may develop iridescence that can vary in hue from fish to fish from green to gold to blue.... Read more >
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Formerly referred to as Amphilophus synspilum , this is a very large and somewhat aggressive cichlid for the home aquarium. Males develop deep red coloration on their face and gill region, as well as a large hump on their foreheads. Females are... Read more >
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