African butterfly cichlid

Anomalochromis thomasi

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F; 23–27°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 3.1 in; 8 cm
Minimum tank: 25 gal; 95 L

Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity: Common
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia

Overview

The African butterfly cichlid is one of the more peaceful cichlids, calm enough for a community tank of gentle fish. It makes a good first cichlid.

Did you know

When a pair of African butterfly cichlids spawns, the parents move the fry around the tank. They sometimes scoop up stragglers in their mouths to relocate them. For a cichlid this size, they make surprisingly attentive parents.

Caring for the African butterfly cichlid

Give a pair of African butterfly cichlids enough space, with a planted tank of 25 gal (95 L) or more. Use sand, some flat rocks or wood for spawning sites, and gentle flow.

Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed quality flakes and small pellets, plus live or frozen food.

This cichlid usually settles in the middle and lower water. A bonded pair claims a small territory, especially when raising fry, but rarely causes trouble outside it. Keep it with other gentle fish.

Pairs are monogamous and spawn on a cleaned rock or leaf. Both parents guard the eggs and fry, and breeding is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The African butterfly cichlid is a small West African cichlid in the family Cichlidae. It is not considered threatened in the wild.

In the wild

The African butterfly cichlid lives in slow streams and rivers in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. The bottom there is sand or mud, with lots of plants for cover, and the water is soft and slightly acidic.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The African butterfly cichlid is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an African butterfly cichlid need?

An African butterfly cichlid needs at least 25 gal (95 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African butterfly cichlid need?

An African butterfly cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an African butterfly cichlid eat?

An African butterfly cichlid eats quality flakes and small pellets, plus live or frozen food.

How big does an African butterfly cichlid get?

An adult African butterfly cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does an African butterfly cichlid breed?

African butterfly cichlids form monogamous pairs and spawn on a cleaned rock or leaf. Both parents guard the eggs and fry, and breeding is moderately difficult.