−11%
Moderate to advanced
Livingston's Hap (Nimbochromis livingstonii)
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 400L
£7.11£7.99
The Sunset Cichlid (Dimidiochromis strigatus) is a large, predatory Lake Malawi hap for experienced keepers with a spacious, hard-water aquarium. It suits robust Malawi tank mates, strong filtration and careful stocking, not small community fish.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Dimidiochromis strigatus
Sunset Cichlid bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
The Sunset Cichlid (Dimidiochromis strigatus) is a large, predatory Lake Malawi hap for experienced keepers with a spacious, hard-water aquarium. It suits robust Malawi tank mates, strong filtration and careful stocking, not small community fish.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
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
The Sunset Cichlid (Dimidiochromis strigatus) is a large predatory hap from the Lake Malawi system. It is a striking fish, especially when mature males develop warmer orange and bronze tones, but the main thing to understand is temperament: this is a hunter for a big African cichlid aquarium, not a peaceful mixed-community species.
Choose this species if you already keep larger Malawi cichlids, or if you are building a dedicated predator-hap aquarium with enough length, filtration and visual cover. A 400 litre tank is the practical starting point; a larger aquarium gives better long-term results, especially if you want a male with females or carefully chosen tank mates.
Use open swimming space, sand, rockwork or strong decor at the sides, and enough broken lines of sight that weaker fish can move away from a dominant male. This is not a plant-centred community fish and it should not be bought for nano tanks, betta tanks or peaceful tetra-style displays.
Dimidiochromis strigatus comes from the Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and Shire River system, so it prefers warm, mineral-rich water. Keep the aquarium stable at 24-28°C with alkaline pH and moderate to high hardness. Strong filtration matters because larger cichlids produce more waste than small community fish, and weekly water changes help keep colour, appetite and behaviour steady.
Adults are active mid-water fish. They need clear room to patrol, not a cramped maze of decor. Fine sand works well, and robust rockwork can help define territories, but avoid unstable piles that could shift if a fish digs or charges through the tank.
This is a carnivorous cichlid. Use a quality predatory cichlid pellet as the staple, then rotate frozen mysis, krill, chopped prawn or mussel for variety. Avoid routine feeder fish; they are a disease and nutrition risk, and this species does not need them to thrive.
Suitable companions are robust fish that enjoy the same hard, alkaline Malawi-style conditions and are too large to be swallowed. Larger haps such as Polystigma Cichlid, Livingston's Hap and Malawi Eye-Biter are more natural comparisons than small community fish. Stock slowly and watch behaviour, because adult males can become territorial.
Avoid shrimp, small tetras, small livebearers, delicate dwarf cichlids, bettas and goldfish. Mbuna can also be awkward companions if the tank is cramped or the layout is wrong; they are tough fish, but their rock-focused aggression does not always mix cleanly with open-water haps.
Every livestock order is packed for safe UK live-animal courier travel and covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee on eligible orders. then acclimate slowly into a mature, fully cycled hard-water aquarium.
If you are planning a larger predator-hap display, compare this listing with Copper Rostratus Hap and Venustus Cichlid. They share the need for space, strong filtration and careful adult-size stocking decisions.
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