Moderate
Red-Top Trematocranus (Otopharynx lithobates)
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 300L
£13.99
Red-Top Trematocranus is the trade name of this blue Lake Malawi cichlid, labelled Aristochromis lombardoi (a trade label, not a described species). The fish shown has a metallic blue body and a pale yellow-white dorsal edge and grows to 8–9 cm. Keep it in hard, alkaline water at 24–26°C, pH 8.0–9.0 and 10–20 dGH with rockwork and sand. Sold individually in 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm and XL sizes.
listing-built-2026-10-01
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Aristochromis lombardoi (trade name)
Max Adult Size
up to 9 cm
Care Level
Intermediate
Temperament
Territorial Lake Malawi cichlid
Temperature
24–26°C
pH Range
8–9
Hardness
10–20 dGH
Diet
Omnivore: cichlid pellets and flakes with frozen 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 above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Water Parameters
Temperature
24–26°C
24°CIdeal26°C
pH Level
8–9
8Ideal9
Water Hardness
10–20 dGH
10 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Aristochromis lombardoi (trade name)
Red-Top Trematocranus (Aristochromis lombardoi)
Territorial
£11.99Sold Out
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.
Selected fish
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Live arrival guaranteed. If they don’t arrive healthy, email us a short unboxing video the same day for a replacement or refund. 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.
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Red-Top Trematocranus is the trade name of this blue Lake Malawi cichlid, labelled Aristochromis lombardoi (a trade label, not a described species). The fish shown has a metallic blue body and a pale yellow-white dorsal edge and grows to 8–9 cm. Keep it in hard, alkaline water at 24–26°C, pH 8.0–9.0 and 10–20 dGH with rockwork and sand. Sold individually in 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm and XL sizes.
listing-built-2026-10-01
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Aristochromis lombardoi (trade name)
Max Adult Size
up to 9 cm
Care Level
Intermediate
Temperament
Territorial Lake Malawi cichlid
Temperature
24–26°C
pH Range
8–9
Hardness
10–20 dGH
Diet
Omnivore: cichlid pellets and flakes with frozen 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 above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
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
24–26°C
24°CIdeal26°C
pH Level
8–9
8Ideal9
Water Hardness
10–20 dGH
10 dGHIdeal20 dGH
A blue Lake Malawi cichlid sold under its trade name
This Lake Malawi cichlid reaches us under the trade name Red-Top Trematocranus, labelled Aristochromis lombardoi. We list it under exactly that name so that what you order is what arrives. Please note that Aristochromis lombardoi is a trade label rather than the name of a formally described species, so we do not claim a confirmed scientific identity for it on this page.
The photograph shows the fish as it is sent to us: a metallic blue body with fine scale sheen, darker blue fins and a pale, yellow-white edge running along the dorsal fin. As in most Lake Malawi cichlids, young fish and females are usually less intensely coloured than mature males, and colour strengthens as the fish grow and settle. The care values published with this fish give a maximum size of 8–9 cm.
| Name we receive it under | Red-Top Trematocranus (Aristochromis lombardoi, trade name) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
| Grows up to | 8–9 cm |
| Temperature | 24–26°C |
| pH | 8.0–9.0 |
| Hardness | 10–20 dGH |
| Water type | Hard, alkaline — Lake Malawi conditions |
| Sold as | One fish per quantity, in the size you choose |
What you receive
Choose 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm or XL, then set the quantity. One quantity is one live fish; sex is not guaranteed. The photo shows this fish; individual colour varies with age, sex and mood. A size that is out of stock this week cannot be added to the basket.
Aquarium and water
Keep it in a Lake Malawi-style aquarium: hard, alkaline water with the care values published for this fish — 24–26°C, pH 8.0–9.0 and 10–20 dGH — stable rockwork with caves, and open sand for swimming. OATA’s Malawi cichlid guidance covers the water chemistry, filtration and gradual stocking these fish need. Allow a spacious aquarium with a long footprint so that territorial fish can space out, keep nitrate low with regular water changes, and add fish only to a mature, cycled system.
Feeding
Offer a varied diet of good-quality cichlid pellets and flakes with frozen foods such as mysis and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and avoid overfeeding, which quickly spoils water quality in a Malawi aquarium.
Tank mates and behaviour
Keep it with other Lake Malawi cichlids of similar size and temperament that need the same hard, alkaline water. Mature males defend a territory, so provide plenty of rockwork and avoid pairing it with much larger, aggressive cichlids or with small, peaceful soft-water community fish.
Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish
Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.
- Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
- Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
- Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
- Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.
If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What species is the Red-Top Trematocranus?
It reaches us under the trade name Red-Top Trematocranus, labelled Aristochromis lombardoi. That label is not a formally described species, so we list the fish under the name it is sold as and do not claim a confirmed scientific identity.
How big does it grow?
The care values published with this fish give a maximum size of 8–9 cm.
What water does it need?
Hard, alkaline Lake Malawi water: 24–26°C, pH 8.0–9.0 and 10–20 dGH, in a mature aquarium with rockwork and open sand.
Will the fish look exactly like the photo?
The photo shows this fish as it is sent to us. Young fish and females are usually paler than mature males, and colour develops as the fish settle.
Public references
- OATA: How to look after Lake Malawi cichlids — hard alkaline water, rockwork, stocking and feeding guidance for Malawi cichlids.
- RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.
Customer Reviews
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What customers say about ordering from us
- 4 out of 5Verified buyer
I have a small group of long finned mountain minnows. So was delighted to be able to order ten of this variety to increase the genetics in my tank . The ones I recieved are healthy but it’s to early to give a verdict on wether they are of a long finned type since they are small currently.
Gordon Walker · 23 Sept 2026
- 5 out of 5Verified buyer
100% success travel and "installation". Pleased with quality of purchase. The Siamese fighter a bit "shy" so have not yet seen him at his best yet but looking good. Happy customer. GG
George E Garratt · 21 Sept 2026
Reviews of our shop, collected by Judge.me, an independent third-party review collector. Newest first.