Last Updated on June 10, 2023 by David
An exotic cichlid from Lake Malawi in Africa is called the “Blue Dolphin Cichlid,” or Cyrtocara moorii. It is almost 25.4 cm in length. The gorgeous blue hue of this cichlid is accented by variable levels of black patterns, depending on the individual. The body is long, with a rather lengthy nose, and as it ages, the head acquires a noticeable hump. This is a superb display specimen for the aquarium due to its lovely color and intriguing shape.
These cichlids can live for approximately ten years in ideal circumstances! They are carnivorous animals that eat small invertebrates in the wild. They will typically consume various live, fresh, and table-fed foods in the aquarium. It is advised to give them leeches and shrimp because a high-protein diet works best (live or frozen). Depending on the biological load, water changes should range from 10% to 20% once per week, and periodic vacuuming of the substrate is advised. The health of a blue dolphin’s eyes may be impacted if they are exposed to poor water for an extended period of time. For their aquarium, a minimum of 284 l and 152 cm in length are advised.
They require strong and effective filtration as well as good water flow. A sandy substrate is advised since it is what they are accustomed to in their natural habitat. You can use freshwater or saltwater fish sand, although saltwater sand can help keep the pH, which needs to be between 7.2 and 8.8. The water temperature can range from 22.8 to 27.8°C.
This cichlid is not easy to breed in captivity. It is recommended to have one male with 3 – 6 females. The male chooses a breeding site (flat rock, cave, or egg pit). When a breeding site is selected, the male displays his color at that site, which becomes very bright. Willing females will approach and lay eggs, and the male will fertilize them. After that, the female will pick up the eggs in her mouth for incubation. Once the young hatch, the female will keep them around for one to three weeks.
Classification
| Not easy. Keep at least three females for each male |
| Semi-aggressive |
| Bright yellow with a blue streak hap |
| Up to 10 years |
| 20cm / 8 Inches |
| Carnivorous – prefers live foods or frozen foods over flake or pellet foods |
| Cichlidae |
| 160 Litres |
| Rocky Malawi tank with plenty of open swimming space |
| Other Lake Malawi cichlids, typically less aggressive ones |
