Malawi eyebiter
Dimidiochromis compressiceps
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The Malawi eyebiter is a large cichlid from Lake Malawi that swims in the middle of a roomy tank. It is hard to keep well and suits experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Malawi eyebiter's name comes from old reports that it bites the eyes off prey fish. In reality it usually takes smaller fish head-first in one go. The eye-biting story is mostly exaggerated, but the name stuck.
Caring for the Malawi eyebiter
Give a Malawi eyebiter at least 66 gal (250 L), with open sand, scattered rock and some Vallisneria-type plants. Leave open swimming space as well.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed high-protein foods such as carnivore pellets, frozen fish and shrimp, and the occasional live food.
Despite its reputation, it is fairly calm for a big Malawi cichlid, though it gets pushy at breeding time. One male to several females works best. Tank mates should be too large to be seen as a meal.
Males grow a bit larger than females. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can manage on their own. Breeding is hard.
Good to know
Dimidiochromis compressiceps is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae, with a body strongly flattened side to side. That shape lets it slip through plants and line up on prey. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
In the wild
The Malawi eyebiter lives in Lake Malawi, around sandy areas with light plant cover and the edges of rock piles. It uses that cover to wait and ambush.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Malawi eyebiter 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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Malawi eyebiter need?
A Malawi eyebiter needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Malawi eyebiter need?
A Malawi eyebiter is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Malawi eyebiter eat?
A Malawi eyebiter eats high-protein foods such as carnivore pellets, frozen fish and shrimp. Offer the occasional live food as well.
How big does a Malawi eyebiter get?
An adult Malawi eyebiter reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
How can you tell a male Malawi eyebiter from a female?
Males grow a bit larger than females.
How does a Malawi eyebiter breed?
A Malawi eyebiter is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can manage on their own, and breeding is hard.
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