Scientific Name(s): Dimidiochromis Compressicep.

Common Name(s): Malawi eye biter.

Origin: Africa, Lake Malawi

Family: Cichlidae, (subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae)

Species Type: Dimidiochromis (Eye biter)

Maximum Size: Up to 12 inches

Life Span: 5-10 years

Natural Habitat: Vallisernia beds with rich sediment, along with reed beds and places with many nitches for there slender body to hide and hunt from.

Diet: Carnivore, Accepts krill, mysis, brine shrimp ,beef hearts, blood worms and crustaceans. Freeze dried food, flake and food stick are also common foods .

Temperature: 72-82 Degrees

PH: 7.5-9

Minimum Tank Size: 55g for juvi fish but a 75g for breeding pairs and adults, the larger the better.

Tank Region: Mid level.

Temperament: Aggressive, more aggressive during breeding as with most Cichlids.

Possible Tank Mates: Larger Haps and Peacocks

Filtration and Setup: HOB, mechanical, bio, chemical, canister, or trickle filters will work outstanding. Needs a weekly water change of at least 1/4 tank. Likes long slender grass and lots of nitches to hide in. Prefers a rich sediment for a substrate, sand or gravel will do fine as well.

Coloration: Females retain juvenile colors of silver with a greenish black horizontal stripe while males will get darker caudal and anal fins with a blue head and reddish tones in the silver body. Males are quit the beautiful fish.

Breeding: Mouth brooder that does the typical Malwai Cichlid breeding dance. The mother will lay then pick up eggs in mouth during dance and male will fertilize. The female will then hold and incubate for about 4 weeks. Females will then spit out the fry when large enough to fend for themselves, no more care from the female after release. Males becomes more aggressive during this time and becomes meaner to smaller fish.

Juvenile picture: