lue Dolphin Cichlid (Cyrtocara Moorii) How hard are they to keep? We would class this is an easy care level
What is its maximum size? 20cm
Where are they from? The Cyrtocara Moorii (was once classified as Haplochromis Moorii) is a beautiful mild tempered cichlid from Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe. How many can I keep? Blue Dolphin cichlids are best kept in a group of 4 or more they will then shoal.
What are the ideal water conditions? Ideal water conditions are moderatly hard with a temperature of 25-28°c. PH 7.5-8.6.
What do you feed them? Feed a variety of frozen foods and cichlid pellets and flake.
How compatible is it with other fish? Best kept with other more peaceful malawis. In addition to the normal rocks in a malawi tank it is important to give this fish sufficient open area to move around.
How do you breed them? Blue Dolphin Cichlids are difficult to sex as there is no difference in colouration between them and the size of the hump does not distinquish males from females. The males grow to 20cm and the females 16cm. Although it takes a long time for the Blue Dolphin to reach sexual maturity, once they start to spawn they will do so regularly every two months. They produce between 20 to 80 eggs. A few days before spawning occurs the male will display to the female, he will clear a slate or stone or dig a nest. The female will lay her eggs in the nest or on the slate and once they are fertilised she will pick up the eggs with her mouth. The eggs hatch after aproximately 20 days.