TankBud

Chipokee cichlid

Melanochromis chipokae

FreshwaterFish

Chipokee cichlid (Melanochromis chipokae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Own kind
One male per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The Chipokee cichlid is an aggressive fish for a rock-filled Malawi tank. It is a step up from the easiest cichlids.

Did you know

Male and female Chipokee cichlids look like two different fish. Beginners sometimes buy them as separate species for that reason.

Caring for the Chipokee cichlid

Give the Chipokee cichlid a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), built around piles of rock with caves and clear sand. The rock gives it territory to claim and gives other fish somewhere to hide. Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.

In the lake it eats a varied diet. Offer a quality cichlid pellet with some protein foods, but do not overdo the meat.

The Chipokee cichlid is aggressive, so go in with that expectation. Keep one male with several females to spread out his attention, and choose other tank mates with caution. Lots of rock that breaks up sight lines is the main tool for keeping the peace.

Mature males turn dark blue to near black, while females and young stay yellow-orange. Females also stay a bit smaller than males.

The female is a maternal mouthbrooder. She holds the fertilized eggs, then the fry, in her mouth for a few weeks until they can fend for themselves. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The Chipokee cichlid's scientific name is Melanochromis chipokae, and it belongs to the family Cichlidae.

In the wild

The Chipokee cichlid is a Lake Malawi mbuna that patrols the rocky shorelines and the sandy zones between them. The lake water is hard and alkaline.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the Chipokee cichlid by at least two published care guides. Crowd the mbuna tank to spread aggression, and add the chipokee last.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Imperial Tropicals.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Chipokee cichlid need?

A Chipokee cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Chipokee cichlid need?

A Chipokee cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Chipokee cichlid eat?

A Chipokee cichlid eats a varied diet in the lake. In the tank, offer a quality cichlid pellet with some protein foods, but do not overdo the meat.

How big does a Chipokee cichlid get?

An adult Chipokee cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How can you tell a male Chipokee cichlid from a female?

Males turn dark blue to near black as they mature, while females and young stay yellow-orange. Females also stay a bit smaller than males.

How does a Chipokee cichlid breed?

A Chipokee cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilized eggs, then the fry, in her mouth for a few weeks until they can fend for themselves. Breeding them is hard.

What fish can live with the Chipokee cichlid?

Published care guides name red zebra cichlid, Kenyi cichlid and zebra mbuna. Crowd the mbuna tank to spread aggression, and add the chipokee last.

Related species