African Butterfly Cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi
Cichlidae
About
The African butterfly cichlid is a small, genuinely peaceful dwarf cichlid from the coastal rivers of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa. Marked with rows of iridescent blue-green spangles and dark bars that flush with mood, it forms devoted monogamous pairs and tends its fry as a diligent parent. Hardier and more forgiving than most dwarf cichlids, it makes an excellent community centrepiece and, unlike many cichlids, leaves plants and substrate largely undisturbed.
Care
Keep as a pair in a planted tank of 90 L or more with soft to neutral water, gentle flow and sandy substrate with caves for spawning. Peaceful and community-friendly; only mildly territorial when breeding.
Diet
Omnivore that grazes the substrate for small invertebrates and organics. Feed sinking pellets and flakes plus regular frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (75)
Possible with care (107)
Avoid (89)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Also in these lists
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a African Butterfly Cichlid need?
- A African Butterfly Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 90 litres (23.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a African Butterfly Cichlid need?
- African Butterfly Cichlid does best at 23–28 °C (73.4–82.4 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 3–15 °dGH.
- Is the African Butterfly Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- African Butterfly Cichlid sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.