What are the Largest Rift Cichlids?

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J

jpmroane

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 9, 2005
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milford new hampshire
Hi I have been all CA/SA since i began keeping fish years ago but recently I have been looking closer at some of the african fish as a change of pace. I really like big argessive, or at least imposing looking fish and I was looking for some info on what are some of the largest cichlids from the rift valley. I guess I would lean more towards malawi from a water parameter standpoint. I was recently turned on to the idea of africans because I looked at a picture of a 'malawi eye biter' and I noticed a slight resemblance to some of the CA guapotes.

If folks could post their pictures of big/predatory africans that would be great!

Thanks
 
The largest Rift Cichlid, which is also the largest Cichlid in the world, is the Emperor (Boulengerochromis microlepis)
 
malawi trout Champsochromis caeruleus gets to about 16 in
tyranochromis can get to 2 feet
and as previously stated the emperor cichlid Boulengerochromis Microlepis gets to 3 feet
 
Another large malawi is the rostratus they can reach 16 inches not really aggresive but apretty fish both the male and female and apparently not that common if you want something unique. The fronts also reach a good size at 14 inches not super aggresive but will eat feeder fish and some other live foods also a very pretty fish especially the zaires.
 
I say go Malawi predators. Not as big as the emperor cichlid, but there are very, very few folks that keep them due to logistics... we're talking 10'+ long tank. Fronts get large, but grow very slowly, are not very active and it is not generally recommended to give them feeders.

Some good genus recommendations for predator haps: Champsochromis, Nibmochromis, Tyrannochromis, Aristochromis, Buccochromis, Exochromis and Fossochromis (though they are not predators, they are sifters/opportunity feeders). Most of these guys will get to be in the 1' plus size range (Exos slightly smaller than the lot), and some up to 18" in a 6' tank.

You will certainly have a lot action with 6-8 of these guys (stick with all males to keep aggression down).
 
Thanks alot some of those fish look ridiculous, really cool stuff.

I was thinking of possibly mixing with CA's, anyone have any luck/experiance with that?
 
I guess the only way to find out is to try, but I think if anyone beats up on anyone it will be the Africans on the short end of the stick.

So what are some of the reputable dealers that specialize in these type of fish?
 
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