What setup does Pulpican Mbuna need?

Use a hard, alkaline Lake Malawi aquarium with extensive rockwork, caves, sight breaks and strong filtration.

No. It is a territorial mbuna, especially males, so choose robust compatible Malawi cichlid tank mates.

What should I feed it?

Use spirulina and vegetable-based cichlid foods as the staple, with only occasional frozen foods.

Livestock is sent by licensed live-animal courier and covered by the Tropical Fish Co Live Arrival Guarantee when the policy conditions are followed.

Pulpican Mbuna (Maylandia pulpican) Lake Malawi cichlid in rockwork — representative image

A territorial Lake Malawi mbuna, now treated as Maylandia pulpican, for rocky hard-water aquariums with vegetable-rich feeding and compatible cichlid stock.

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name

Maylandia pulpican

Max Adult Size

up to 10 cm

Lifespan

8 years

Care Level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Temperature

24–28°C

pH Range

7.5–8.5

Hardness

10–20 dGH

Minimum Tank

200L

Diet

Herbivore; spirulina, vegetable-based foods

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.

Maylandia pulpican

Pulpican Mbuna (Maylandia pulpican)

Name: Pulpican Mbuna (Maylandia pulpican)
Brand: Tropical Fish Co
SKU: 1176
Availability: InStock

Moderate Care

Aggressive

£15.99

Size: 3 - 4 cm

Multi-Buy Pricing

— save up to 20%

Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.

How many?

Selected fish

£15.99

Live arrival guaranteed. Full refund or replacement if they don’t arrive healthy. Packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed.

£19.95 tracked delivery — half price (£9.98) from £100.00, free from £200.00. One delivery charge however many fish you add — everything travels together with a licensed live-animal courier.

Read our reviews on Google or see verified buyer reviews and photos. Human support, careful packing and clear delivery updates for live aquatics.

A territorial Lake Malawi mbuna, now treated as Maylandia pulpican, for rocky hard-water aquariums with vegetable-rich feeding and compatible cichlid stock.

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name

Maylandia pulpican

Max Adult Size

up to 10 cm

Lifespan

8 years

Care Level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Temperature

24–28°C

pH Range

7.5–8.5

Hardness

10–20 dGH

Minimum Tank

200L

Diet

Herbivore; spirulina, vegetable-based foods

Source-labelled Bolivian ram swimming above aquarium gravel

Full Care Guide

Cichlids: Types, Care & Tank Planning

Cichlids are a family of roughly 1,800 accepted species, not one care type. Before buying, identify the exact species and source, then compare adult measurement, usable tank dimensions, social system, territory, tested water, diet and an exit plan. No family-wide minimum tank, water range or tank-mate list is safe.

14 min readRead guide

Water Parameters

Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors

Temperature

24–28°C

24°CIdeal28°C

pH Level

7.5–8.5

7.5Ideal8.5

Water Hardness

10–20 dGH

10 dGHIdeal20 dGH

Pulpican Mbuna overview

Pulpican Mbuna is listed by FishBase as Maylandia pulpican, with Cynotilapia pulpican and Metriaclima pulpican appearing as historical or trade synonyms.

Quick facts

Adult size	About 10 cm
Minimum aquarium	200 litres or more with extensive rockwork
Water	24-28°C, pH 7.5-8.5, hard alkaline water
Diet	Aufwuchs/vegetable-led; spirulina, herbivore cichlid pellets and occasional frozen foods
Temperament	Territorial mbuna; males defend rock/sand zones

Care notes

Use a rocky Malawi layout with caves, sight breaks and strong filtration. Avoid soft-water community fish and avoid overfeeding rich meaty foods; a vegetable-led diet better suits a rock-grazing mbuna.

Ordering from Tropical Fish Co

Livestock is packed for delivery by a licensed live-animal courier and covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when the policy conditions are followed.

Species facts

Published records for Maylandia pulpican — useful when planning the aquarium around the adult fish rather than the size supplied.

Maximum recorded length: 7.1 cm (FishBase)
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (FishBase)

Keeping notes

Hardness 10–20 dGH. Typical lifespan around 8 years with stable water. Swims mainly in the middle part of the aquarium. Recommended stocking: 1 male with 3-4 females. Breeding difficulty: easy. Origin: Africa (Lake Malawi).