Dimidiochromis Compressiceps
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| Common name | Malawi Eye-biter |
| Scientific name | Dimidiochromis compressiceps |
| Synonyms | Haplochromis compressiceps |
| Size | Up to 10" (25cm) |
| Origin | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
| Tank setup | A large tank (suggest 100 gallons plus if kept with other fish) with some rock caves and plenty
of open swimming space. Plants such as Vallis can be added. |
| Compatibility | Predatory towards small fishes. Combine with other open-water Malawi species which are not too aggressive,
such as Copadochromis and Aulonocara. |
| Temperature | 23-28oC (73-82oF) |
| Water chemistry | Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12 |
| Feeding | Predator, feed a meaty diet. |
| Sexing | Males are much more colourful, females are mainly silver. |
| Breeding | The male may dig a shallow spawning pit and display to attract the female to it. A mouthbrooder,
the female will incubate the eggs and fry for about 3 weeks. The male is likely to eat the fry once released.
Feed fry on small frozen/live foods such as baby brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia. |
| Comments |
As the name implies, this cichlid has a strikingly compressed shape. Despite its common name, it is unlikely to take the eyes
of tankmates when fed regularly.
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