Topic: Haplochromis moorii Profile

[tommyc]

Common Names: Dolphin Cichlid

Synonyms: Haplochromis moorii

Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Lake Malawi, Africa.

Main Ecosystem: Rift Lake

Temperament: Reclusive; Peaceful for a territorial fish. Will school.

Diet: Omnivore;
 
Care: Live food is preferred over flakes, I feed mine exclusively on N.L.S formula with excellent results. The substrate should be of fine gravel or sand as Cyrtocara moorii live in the sandy, shoreline areas of Lake Malawi. Caves are needed but swimming area is also important.
pH: 7.2 - 8.5

Temperature: 24C - 27C (75F - 81F)

Hardness: 10 - 18 dH

Potential Size: Male: 20cm (7.9")
Female: 20cm (7.9")

Water Region: All

Activity: Diurnal;

Gender: Can be hard to determine at times as the cranial lump does occur on both the male and the female. The hump will tend to be larger and more  pronounced on the male.

Breeding: Not easy. Keep at least three females for each male. Frequent water changes are essential both for breeding and for the growth of the fry.

Comments: This is a beautiful and graceful fish. The picture is of my dominant male.