Malawi barracuda
Rhamphochromis cf. macrophthalmus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The Malawi barracuda is a predatory cichlid for a long, uncluttered tank. It takes some experience to keep.
Did you know
Rhamphochromis, the Malawi barracuda's genus, are sometimes called the lake's open-water cheetahs. Most Malawi cichlids hug the rocks or sand, but this genus took to the open lake. Its body shape is closer to a pike or barracuda, which is unusual for the family.
Caring for the Malawi barracuda
Give a Malawi barracuda a long tank of at least 79 gal (300 L), with open space front to back and not much clutter. It needs length and clear swimming room, not a rock maze.
Match its hard, alkaline Malawi water, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed it a high-protein carnivore diet of frozen or live fish-based foods and good carnivore pellets.
It is a solitary, aggressive hunter that will eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth. Keep only large, sturdy tank mates, or skip them and give it a species tank. Breeding in aquariums is essentially unrecorded.
Good to know
The Malawi barracuda belongs to the family Cichlidae. Its long, torpedo-shaped body and large mouth are built for running down fast prey in open water. Wild populations look stable for now, but heavy fishing pressure and changes to the lake could shift that.
In the wild
The Malawi barracuda lives in the open water of Lake Malawi, well away from the shoreline. There it chases down smaller fish.
Common questions
What size tank does a Malawi barracuda need?
A Malawi barracuda needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Malawi barracuda need?
A Malawi barracuda is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Malawi barracuda eat?
A Malawi barracuda eats a high-protein carnivore diet. Give it frozen or live fish-based foods and good carnivore pellets.
How big does a Malawi barracuda get?
An adult Malawi barracuda reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
Related species
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