Moderate
White Dolphin Cichlid (Cyrtocara moorii)
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 450L
£18.99
A striking Lake Malawi cichlid with shimmering blue-lavender coloration and bold personality, ideal for a dedicated African cichlid aquarium. Difficult care, semi-aggressive. 24-28C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Petrotilapia tridentiger
Blue Petrotilapia, Lavender are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
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A striking Lake Malawi cichlid with shimmering blue-lavender coloration and bold personality, ideal for a dedicated African cichlid aquarium. Difficult care, semi-aggressive. 24-28C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 450L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.6 · 300L
24–26°C
24–26°C · pH 7.5–8.6 · 150L
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Shimmering blue-lavender colour and real presence make the Blue Petrotilapia, Lavender (Petrotilapia tridentiger) one of the more imposing mbuna a Lake Malawi keeper can take on. This is a substantial cichlid, reaching around 17cm, and it carries itself accordingly in a large rocky aquarium.
It is a difficult-level fish, not because it is delicate but because of the scale of its needs. A grazing herbivore by nature, it requires a strictly plant- and algae-based diet and a roomy tank with hard, alkaline water. Feeding it the wrong, protein-heavy foods is a common and avoidable mistake with this group.
Occupying the middle of the water column above the rockwork, it is semi-aggressive and can become territorial, so its companions need to be chosen with that in mind. Given space and the right diet, it is a striking centrepiece for a dedicated Malawi system.
Provisioning for a mbuna of this size is a real undertaking. The 300-litre minimum should be packed with rockwork to break up lines of sight and give it the territorial structure it expects, with the water held between 24 and 28°C, a pH of 7.8 to 8.6 and hardness from 10 to 20 dGH. Mature filtration and disciplined maintenance keep a tank of this stocking level healthy.
Diet is the single most important husbandry point: as a herbivore it must be fed a plant- and algae-based menu, and avoiding rich, protein-heavy foods is essential to its long-term health. Get the space, the water and the diet right and it can live around eight years as the commanding centrepiece of a Malawi display.
Pair it with other robust Lake Malawi cichlids of similar size and temperament, plus large, non-aggressive Malawi catfish or bottom dwellers. Avoid small community fish, slow-moving or long-finned fish, highly aggressive species that will dominate the tank, soft-water fish and delicate invertebrates. Every fish ships with a licensed live-animal courier and the reassurance of our live arrival guarantee.
