Blue Dolphin Cichlid (Cyrtocara moorii) Care Guide
A striking metallic blue cichlid from Lake Malawi distinguished by the prominent nuchal hump that develops in mature specimens.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cyrtocara moorii is a species in the family Cichlidae. A striking metallic blue cichlid from Lake Malawi distinguished by the prominent nuchal hump that develops in mature specimens. One of the more peaceful haplochromines, it prefers open sandy areas where it follows feeding cichlids to sift through disturbed substrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cyrtocara
- Scientific name: Cyrtocara moorii
- Other names: Malawi Blue Dolphin, Humphead Cichlid
- Origin: Africa, Lake Malawi
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits intermediate sandy-rocky zones at depths of 3-15 m. Males develop a pronounced nuchal hump in old age, giving the species its common name. Diet is mainly invertebrates picked from the substrate stirred up by feeding mbuna and other cichlids.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 20-25 cm
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 4
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Peacock Cichlid, Other Haplochromines, Synodontis Petricola
- Avoid with: Mbunas, Small Fish, Shrimp
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Blue Dolphin Cichlid Breeding Guide
Overview
The blue dolphin cichlid, Cyrtocara moorii, is a polygamous maternal mouthbrooder from Lake Malawi. The female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for up to three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. It does not reach reproductive readiness until it is around five inches long.
Sexing
The species is difficult to sex, as both sexes exhibit a nuchal hump and essentially identical coloration. Males grow larger, reaching at least about 25 cm against around 20 cm for females, but this size difference may take several years to become apparent.
Conditioning
Keep the fish in the hard, alkaline water of Lake Malawi (reported pH 7.5-8.8 and 10-25 degrees H hardness) at around 25-29 degrees C, and condition the group on a good diet so that females come into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
A recommended group is one male with three to six females in a large, open, sandy-bottomed tank, since the species naturally favours sandy areas. Provide flat rock surfaces and open sand where the female can spawn.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female lays eggs either on a flat rock surface or in a depression she digs in the substrate, then takes them into her mouth. A spawning produces roughly 20-90 eggs. While carrying, she shows a distended mouth and darker brooding colouration and does not eat.
Egg & Fry Care
After holding for up to three weeks, the female releases free-swimming fry that are large enough to accept brine shrimp nauplii and crushed flake food from the day they are released. The fry grow very slowly.
Common Challenges
The difficulty of sexing and the years needed for size differences to show make pairing harder; keeping a harem of one male with several females improves the chances of a successful spawn. The female fasts throughout the long holding period, and the slow growth of the fry requires patience.