Photo: User:D.W., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
African butterfly cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi
8 cm
Adult size
90 L
Minimum volume
2
Minimum group
8 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Anomalochromis
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- pair
In the wild
Overview
The only species of its genus, this small West African cichlid takes its name from a peculiarity of its lateral line system. Young fish look dull in the shop, but a settled adult is very colourful: it is one of the best choices for discovering dwarf cichlids.
- Scientific name
- Anomalochromis thomasi (Boulenger, 1915)
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Coastal rivers of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in shaded forest streams, whose water is often the colour of tea, and in shallow, muddy savanna waters that approach 30 °C in the dry season; when disturbed, it can bury itself in the mud.
Behaviour
Very peaceful for a cichlid, it only becomes territorial when spawning. Shy, it goes well with small characins, other African dwarf cichlids, Corydoras and small anabantoids, but not with boisterous species. Both parents care for the eggs, laid on an exposed surface. It accepts all foods.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth