Star Sapphire
Placidochromis phenochilus
Cichlidae
About
The star sapphire is a large, strikingly beautiful Lake Malawi cichlid in which dominant males glow an intense metallic sapphire blue set off by pale, almost white lips. It sifts open sand for small invertebrates and, though large, is unusually calm for a hap, forming loose harems where one male courts several females. Its size, hard-water needs and sand-digging habits make it a fish for spacious, rockwork aquariums rather than mixed communities.
Care
Provide a large tank of 450 L or more with deep open sand, rock retreats and hard, alkaline water. Keep as a harem of one male to several females and pair only with robust, non-timid Malawi tankmates.
Diet
Omnivorous sand-sifter; offer a quality cichlid pellet plus frozen brine shrimp and mysis, with some vegetable content. Keep the diet lean to avoid bloat common in Malawi cichlids.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (2)
Possible with care (154)
Avoid (115)
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.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Star Sapphire need?
- A Star Sapphire needs an aquarium of at least 450 litres (118.9 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 Star Sapphire need?
- Star Sapphire does best at 23–28 °C (73.4–82.4 °F), pH 7.6–8.8 and a general hardness of 8–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Star Sapphire need?
- Star Sapphire is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Star Sapphire suitable for beginners?
- Star Sapphire 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.