Cyprichromis pavo Care Guide
Cyprichromis pavo is a larger open-water schooling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, a peaceful mouthbrooder kept in groups in the upper water column.
Overview
Cyprichromis pavo is one of the larger members of the genus Cyprichromis, a group of slender open-water cichlids from Lake Tanganyika known as herring or sardine cichlids for their schooling habit. Dominant fish show an iridescent blue body with yellow in the tail. The species swims and feeds high in the water column.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cyprichromis
- Scientific name: Cyprichromis pavo
- Described: Büscher, 1994
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, recorded from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kasenga in Zambia. It is found over rocky in-shore habitats at depths of roughly 20 to 50 metres, where large schools hover in open water above the rocks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
FishBase records a diet that includes copepods and algae, with an omnivorous trophic level. In the aquarium it takes small frozen invertebrates and floating prepared foods captured in midwater. Feeding small amounts twice daily suits its constant cruising behaviour.
Compatibility
The species is peaceful and serves as an upper-level companion in Tanganyika community tanks. Suitable tankmates include Cyphotilapia, other Cyprichromis and bottom-oriented lamprologines. Lake Malawi mbuna and aggressive haplochromines should be avoided.
Breeding
Like other Cyprichromis, the species is a maternal mouthbrooder; spawning takes place in open water and females incubate the eggs and fry in the mouth. Breeding is of intermediate difficulty and most reliable within an established school.
Conservation status
FishBase lists Cyprichromis pavo as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2025).