TankBud

Malawi trout cichlid

Champsochromis caeruleus

Also known as Trout cichlid, Caeruleus hap

FreshwaterFish

Malawi trout cichlid (Champsochromis caeruleus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
12.6 in
32 cm
Minimum tank
185 gal
700 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The Malawi trout cichlid is one of the larger Malawi cichlids, an open-water predator for a very large tank. It is a moderate challenge for a keeper with room to spare.

Did you know

The Malawi trout cichlid's genus name, Champsochromis, is built from the Greek for crocodile, a nod to its predatory snout. Its common name calls it a trout instead, two very different hunters borrowed for one fish. Both capture a fast, streamlined body made for running down prey in open water.

Caring for the Malawi trout cichlid

The Malawi trout cichlid needs length above all, in a tank of at least 185 gal (700 L) with clear swimming room. Favor open space over decor, with a sand floor, minimal rockwork set low and long, uninterrupted swimming lanes.

Keep the water hard and alkaline like the lake, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Use powerful filtration and good flow for such a large, active swimmer. Feed meaty foods and expect a strong appetite.

It is solitary and aggressive, so keep it singly or as one male with females. In the tank it patrols mid-water after prey, so never house it with small fish. Tank mates must be big and robust enough that they cannot be caught and swallowed. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The Malawi trout cichlid belongs to the family Cichlidae and is iridescent blue over a slim, trout-like body. Its species name, caeruleus, is simply Latin for blue.

In the wild

Champsochromis caeruleus ranges through the open water of Lake Malawi, chasing schools of small fish across the lake. It hunts by pursuit and feeds largely on the small Malawi sardine.

Common questions

What size tank does a Malawi trout cichlid need?

A Malawi trout cichlid needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Malawi trout cichlid need?

A Malawi trout cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Malawi trout cichlid eat?

A Malawi trout cichlid eats meaty foods and has a strong appetite.

How big does a Malawi trout cichlid get?

An adult Malawi trout cichlid reaches about 12.6 in (32 cm).

How does a Malawi trout cichlid breed?

A Malawi trout cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is hard.

Related species