Saulosi 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

Saulosi (Chindongo saulosi, formerly Pseudotropheus saulosi) reaches about 7 to 9 cm and is known from a single location in Lake Malawi, Taiwanee Reef, which makes its wild population genuinely restricted and the tank-bred stock that fills the hobby genuinely valuable. Males are blue with dark vertical bars, females and juveniles are a uniform bright yellow, and a young male will slowly shift from yellow to blue as he takes rank. A colony of one male and four to six females does well in 150 to 200 litres at 24-27C, pH 7.8 to 8.6, in hard water with rock piles and caves. Feed spirulina flake, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, keeping protein occasional to avoid bloat. Its aggression is real but modest by mbuna standards, and its small size means it does not need the enormous tank most Malawi species demand. If a second male colours up he will be challenged, so either rehome surplus males or run a large enough group that the pressure is shared. It should not be housed with demasoni, whose barring is similar enough to trigger constant fighting.

• How active is a Saulosi Cichlid?

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

• How much maintenance does a Saulosi Cichlid need?

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

• What tank size does a Saulosi Cichlid need?

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

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

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Saulosi Cichlid live?

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

• What health issues affect the Saulosi 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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