Predatory Cichlids
- Thread starter L3CTR0N
- Start date
There are many, many predatory cichlids that stay under 12", and with other than on the hunt, remain mellow if the tank has enough space to not cramp them.
One of my favorite predators is Stomatepia pindu. The males top off at around 8", and it comes from 1 tiny lake in Cameroon, Lake Barumbi mbo.
I kept a group of 7 pindu in a 6ft tank where the spawned , and lived quite comfortably. The have cephalic pits on the face and jaw that help them locate prey that escapes into the substrate
A little less dramatic in coloration is Stomatepia mariae
If you have hard, alkaline water the genus Lepidiolamprologus contains some beautiful predatory species that remain in your size qualifications.
My pic above is L elongatus which except when hunting, a generally mild mannered in a proper size tank,
One of my favorite predators is Stomatepia pindu. The males top off at around 8", and it comes from 1 tiny lake in Cameroon, Lake Barumbi mbo.
I kept a group of 7 pindu in a 6ft tank where the spawned , and lived quite comfortably. The have cephalic pits on the face and jaw that help them locate prey that escapes into the substrate
A little less dramatic in coloration is Stomatepia mariae
If you have hard, alkaline water the genus Lepidiolamprologus contains some beautiful predatory species that remain in your size qualifications.
My pic above is L elongatus which except when hunting, a generally mild mannered in a proper size tank,
The Lepidiolamprologus is one of my favorite families of Tanganyican cichlids.There are great choices in that group.
Also,the compressiceps is known as the eye biter but they rarely exhibit such behavior in captivity.
Also,the compressiceps is known as the eye biter but they rarely exhibit such behavior in captivity.
L elongatus are slow growers, but can get large over time, a better choice for an under 12" individual might be Lepidiolamprolus kendali, which tops off around 7-8", and is more striking in coloration.
I don't think either is rare, but that depends on where you live, and I doubt they are common LFSs, so ordering from a reputable Rift Lake African supplier might be your only recourse, unless someone in your local aquarium club is a breeder.
When my elongatus were spawning a few years ago, I sent a number of juvies out, to a few MFK members around the US
I don't think either is rare, but that depends on where you live, and I doubt they are common LFSs, so ordering from a reputable Rift Lake African supplier might be your only recourse, unless someone in your local aquarium club is a breeder.
When my elongatus were spawning a few years ago, I sent a number of juvies out, to a few MFK members around the US
Have you considered cichlids like
Basketmouth cichlids (gets 10inches, quite rare, from south America, a smaller less aggressive umbee basically)
Caquetaia myersi (gets 12 inches, same family as the umbee turns solid gold not aggressive but will eat small fish)
Caquetaia kraussii (same as above, different colours more of a blue to the fins)
Caquetaia spectabilis (same as above, rare, metallic green and red throat)
Stomatepia "pindu" (mentioned already,from West Africa)
Obliquidens (from Lake Victoria, small, very colourful, eats insects gets about 10cm, in a large enough tank a harem with 3 males and 9 females would be breathtaking)
Xenotilapia flavipinnis (gets to about 10cm, micropredator of small insects, shoaling in small groups is best, peaceful, from Lake tanganyika)
Lepidiolamprologus (mentioned before)
Julie cichlids (small micropredator)
Compressisceps (mentioned before)
Electric Blue ahli (lake Malawi)
VC10 hap
And most pike cichlids dwarfs, white spotted etc...
After keeping cichlids from both Africa and the Americas I have found that those from the Americas display more interesting personalities. If you are getting predatory cichlids for their behaviors I would definitely recommend something from central or south America. There are a few options you have from with these new world cichlids that stay smaller and can still get along with others. Even some of the more peaceful species will still display predatory behavior if given the chance.
