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Hore's cichlid

Shuja horei

Also known as Ctenochromis horei

FreshwaterFish

Hore's cichlid (Shuja horei)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–9.0
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika margins

Overview

Hore's cichlid is a robust, boisterous haplochromine from Lake Tanganyika, more forgiving than the lake's rock specialists. It is pushy enough to need managing, and not a beginner's fish.

Did you know

Brooding female Hore's cichlids have been shown to adjust how long they shelter their young in the mouth. They match it to the danger around them, holding the fry longer when predators are near.

Caring for the Hore's cichlid

Give a Hore's cichlid a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L), with rock structure and open floor. Lay a sandy bottom with some rock and root cover, and add a few areas of planting or algae growth.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 9.0. It is an omnivore that becomes more predatory as it grows. Feed quality pellets and frozen or meaty foods.

Keep it singly or as one male and female pair, not a group of its own kind. A dominant male will not tolerate rivals. A displaying male defends a territory hard, so choose sturdy tank mates that can take the pressure. Leave out small or timid fish, and anything small enough to be eaten.

Males color up strongly when they display. The female is a mouthbrooder that carries the eggs and fry, and a dominant male guards a spawning female from rivals. Breeding it is moderately challenging.

Good to know

Shuja horei was long known as Ctenochromis horei, and it is a member of the family Cichlidae. A 2022 revision moved it into the newly created genus Shuja, named with the Swahili word for brave.

In the wild

Hore's cichlid is widespread around Lake Tanganyika. It favors shallow, weedy margins, river mouths and soft-bottomed bays rather than the open rock faces.

Common questions

What size tank does a Hore's cichlid need?

A Hore's cichlid needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Hore's cichlid need?

A Hore's cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–9.0.

What does a Hore's cichlid eat?

A Hore's cichlid eats quality pellets and frozen or meaty foods. It is an omnivore that turns more predatory with age.

How big does a Hore's cichlid get?

An adult Hore's cichlid reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How can you tell a male Hore's cichlid from a female?

Males color up strongly when they display.

How does a Hore's cichlid breed?

A Hore's cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry. A dominant male guards a spawning female from rivals, and breeding is moderately challenging.

Related species