Dogtooth Cichlid
Cynotilapia afra
Cichlidae
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About
A slim mbuna of about 10 cm, endemic to the rocky shores of Lake Malawi and common along the north-western coast down to Ngara as well as around Likoma and Chizumulu islands. Dominant males are deep blue crossed by dark vertical bars that continue into the dorsal fin, and in many collection forms that dorsal carries a band of brilliant yellow; females are far plainer. The genus name refers to the sharp conical unicuspid teeth, which together with the slimmer body separate it from the superficially similar Maylandia zebra. Unusually for a mbuna it spends much of its day off the rock face chasing zooplankton in open water, but it remains a belligerent, territorial harem breeder. Its geographic colour forms look so unlike one another that shops treat them as different fish, and they must never be mixed in one tank or they will hybridise.
Care
Give a harem of one male to three or more females at least 200 litres on a 120 cm footprint, with stacked rock caves over sand and hard alkaline water (pH 7.5-8.8, GH 10-25 dH, 24-27 C). Filtration must be strong and water changes generous. Keep it only with other robust mbuna, never with peacocks (Aulonocara), utaka or peaceful community fish, and stock the tank slightly heavily so aggression is spread rather than focused. It digs constantly and uproots plants, and a tight lid is essential.
Diet
Unlike the strict algae-rasping mbuna this species lives largely on zooplankton in the wild, so it needs and tolerates more animal protein than a Maylandia. Build the diet on a quality spirulina cichlid pellet or flake and add frozen or live Artemia, cyclops and mysis several times a week, with blanched spinach or peas once or twice a week for fibre. Still avoid bloodworm, tubifex and mammal meat such as beef heart, which trigger Malawi bloat. Two small feeds a day beat one heavy meal.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (143)
Avoid (128)
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.
- VentingStrong · 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.
- Egg spotsA hint only · from about 6 months
The yellow or orange ocelli on the anal fin of Malawi cichlids, traditionally explained as a lure that draws the female into mouthing them, fertilising the eggs she is already holding.
- 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.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Dogtooth Cichlid need?
- A Dogtooth Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 200 litres (52.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Dogtooth Cichlid need?
- Dogtooth Cichlid does best at 23–28 °C (73.4–82.4 °F), pH 7.5–8.8 and a general hardness of 10–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Dogtooth Cichlid need?
- Dogtooth Cichlid is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Dogtooth Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Dogtooth 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.