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Blue dolphin cichlid

Hump-head cichlid

A blue cichlid with a forehead hump from Lake Malawi

Photo: Photographer: Riftreef at en.wikipedia / [1], CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The hump-head cichlid is a freshwater fish found only in Lake Malawi. It grows to 20 centimetres and displays shades of blue with a distinct head hump. Aquarium enthusiasts value this species for its calm nature and striking appearance.

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  • Grows to a maximum length of 20 centimetres
  • Features a distinctive hump on the forehead
  • Found only in Lake Malawi sandy areas
  • Requires water temperatures of 24 to 26 C
  • Named after biologist John Edmund Sharrock Moore

What it is

This fish is a haplochromine cichlid known for its unique physical traits. Adults reach lengths of up to 20 centimetres. Their bodies display varying shades of blue, from turquoise to silvery-blue. Males often show brighter colours than females. A distinctive hump develops on the forehead as the fish matures. This feature gives the species its common name. It is the sole member of the genus Cyrtocara.

Where it lives

The species lives exclusively in Lake Malawi in east Africa. It prefers areas where the lake bed consists of sand. These sandy substrates provide the primary habitat for the fish. It does not occur naturally in any other water body. The environment is freshwater and specific to this large African lake.

How it lives

Information regarding diet and predators is not detailed in the provided text. The fish is generally described as relatively tame in behaviour. It shares its habitat with other cichlids but remains the only species in its genus. Its calm disposition makes it suitable for community tanks, except during breeding periods when it may become territorial.

Breeding and life cycle

The fish becomes less tame when it is spawning. This change in behaviour suggests protective instincts during reproduction. Specific details about egg laying, fry care, or growth rates are not included in the available information. The spawning period is a key time for behavioural changes in captivity.

Hump-head cichlid
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Aquarium keepers prize this species for its appearance and temperament. It is kept under names like blue dolphin cichlid or Malawi dolphin. Tanks should maintain temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. A minimum volume of 180 litres is recommended for housing them. The specific name honours John Edmund Sharrock Moore, an English biologist.

Questions people ask about Hump-head cichlid

How big does the hump-head cichlid get?

This species grows to a total length of 20 centimetres. This size is manageable for home aquariums provided the tank is large enough to accommodate its adult dimensions and swimming needs.

What temperature does the water need to be?

The ideal temperature range is 75 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In metric units, this translates to 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Maintaining this warmth is essential for the health of the fish.

Is this fish aggressive?

It is generally considered relatively tame. However, behaviour changes during spawning. Keepers should monitor interactions during breeding times as the fish may become more defensive or territorial then.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cyrtocara", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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