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Calliptera Cichlid

Astatotilapia calliptera

Freshwater Africa Usually captive bred

The calliptera cichlid is an adaptable mouthbrooder hailing from Lake Malawi's tributaries and surrounding river basins. Displaying golden hues, iridescent blue fin borders, and distinctive red tail speckles, it is hardy and prolific. Males can be assertive during spawning, requiring plenty of rock shelters and a sandy substrate for crater digging.

Also called: Eastern bream, Eastern happy.

14 cm adult length, drawn to scale. deep body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 14 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 250 L, at least 120 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 30 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 22 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 7.2 to 8.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 8 to 20, KH 6 to 14 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Semi-aggressive Territorial: strong.
Swims in All levels Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 7 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Calliptera Cichlid is an omnivore that swims in all levels of the tank. It leaves most plants alone. Give it some cover. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.