Demasoni Cichlid
Chindongo demasoni
Cichlidae
About
The demasoni cichlid is a dwarf mbuna from the rocky reefs of Pombo Rocks in Lake Malawi, instantly recognised by its electric-blue body crossed with bold black vertical bars. Barely reaching 7-8 cm, it packs the aggression of a fish many times its size and is relentlessly territorial toward its own kind, so it succeeds only in a large tank kept in hard, alkaline Rift Lake water among dense rockwork.
Care
Keep in hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.5) over sand with heavy rockwork in a tank of 200 L or more. Extremely aggressive to its own kind, so keep either a large colony of 12+ to spread out aggression or none at all; not for community tanks.
Diet
Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer; feed spirulina- and vegetable-based foods with blanched greens. Strictly limit protein-rich foods to prevent Malawi bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (103)
Avoid (18)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.