Saulosi Cichlid
Chindongo saulosi
Cichlidae
About
The saulosi cichlid is a dwarf mbuna endemic to Taiwan Reef in Lake Malawi, prized for its dramatic sexual dichromatism: dominant males turn electric blue with dark barring while females and juveniles stay bright egg-yolk yellow. Reaching only about 9 cm, it is one of the more manageable mbuna, yet males remain territorial, so it thrives as a harem colony in hard, alkaline Rift Lake water over sand and rock.
Care
Keep a harem of one male with several females (a colony of 6+ spreads aggression) in hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.5) over sand with heavy rockwork in a tank of at least 200 L. Males are territorial, so provide caves and avoid a bare layout.
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 (105)
Avoid (16)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.