Afra Cichlid

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment6–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Bloat (GDV) · Ich (white spot) · Fin rot

The Afra Cichlid (Cynotilapia afra) is a Lake Malawi rock dweller of about 9 to 11 cm that comes in dozens of regional colour forms, from Jalo Reef yellow-top to the white-and-black Cobue. Unlike true mbuna herbivores it has conical rather than scraping teeth and feeds mostly on plankton picked from open water above the rocks, which shows in the tank as a fish that spends more time swimming and less time grazing. Keep one male with three or more females in 200 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 7.8 to 8.6 in hard water, with rock structure and some open swimming room. A quality cichlid pellet plus spirulina suits it, and because it is a plankton feeder it handles frozen cyclops and mysis better than a zebra does, though moderation still applies. Aggression is moderate to high and directed mostly at its own species and lookalikes, so keep just one colour form and never two Cynotilapia types together, since regional forms interbreed freely and the offspring are worthless to anyone trying to maintain a location line.

• How active is a Afra Cichlid?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Afra Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Afra Cichlid need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Afra Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Afra Cichlid live?

  6–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Afra Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Bloat (GDV), Ich (white spot), Fin rot. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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