Blue Dolphin -Cyrtocara moorii

Blue Dolphin -Cyrtocara moorii approx. 4-5cm One of the Lake Malawi Cichlids that can be set up in a African Cichlid Community Tank

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Quick Stats

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Appearance

The Blue Moorii is a large cichlid with a stocky, lengthy body and a somewhat hooked nose. Since the pointed snout resembles a dolphin, the Malawi Blue Dolphin and Blue Dolphin Cichlid are named after it. They may develop up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length and go a little bigger in the tank.

Blue dolphin cichlids are a deep blue color with varying black markings on their backs and fins based on their origination. Male cichlids have a more bright colors than females. This is because both males and females grow a bulge (also known as a nuchal bump or hump) on their heads as they age. When the fish fight, their fin and necks turn virtually black, and their bodies turn a vivid blue color. They are warm-blooded animals.

Lifespan Of Blue Dolphin Cichlid

The typical lifespan of a Blue Dolphin Cichlid is up to 10 years.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Size

The typical Blue Dolphin Cichlid grows up to 20 inches on the lower end and 25 inches for larger specimens. Males reach a height of 20cm, while females reach a height of 16cm. They may develop up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length and go a little larger in the tank.

Natural Habitat and Origin

The Cyrtocara moorii, often known as the Hap moorii or Malawi Cichlids, is a prominent Haplochromis known species in the waters of Lake Malawi in Africa. The blue moorii is a renowned cichlid because of its brilliant blue color and distinctive body frame, including a large hump on the fish’s forehead. They occur naturally in sandy coastal areas for habitation.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Care & Tank Set-Up

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Tank Size and Specifications

The capacity of the fish tanks is the most crucial consideration when tending aquarium fishes. It must have a total of at least 200-250 liters, or the fish will be uneasy. Furthermore, fish in large tanks can reach a maximum size of 15-20 cm; however, if the aquarium is smaller, the fish will be smaller. The male’s major characteristic, his large head, will not mature adequately in a small tank. The shelters are required, but there should be ample room for swimming. Fish like to live in the middle and lower water layers.

In terms of community tank design, a sandy floor is preferable because fish like to burrow. In addition, they don’t require vegetation since they eat them or tear them up.

In a tank, it’s preferable to have a lot of big flat stones, hooks, and other forms of coverings. Also, because the fish is cautious, it’s best to maintain them in a separate tank. The fish is generally peaceful cichlid, though males can get into battles over supremacy now and then.

In a tank, it’s preferable to have more females than males: one male and two females, or two females and three males, for instance.

Optimum Tank Size for Blue Dolphin Cichlid

The recommended species tank size for Blue Dolphin Cichlids is 250 liters or more. Blue Dolphins require a massive tank of at least 125 gallons based on size.

Tank Shape for Blue Dolphin Cichlid – Huge Spacious Tank

Filter Type-External Canister Filter. These filters are more significant than other types of filtering. This is because they can contain a more substantial number and variety of filter material, leading to a better reduction of waste and bioactivity.

Substrate

Sandy substrate with rocks and barriers to digging into.

How many Blue Dolphin Cichlid in a 55-gallon tank?

You can hold up to 15 African Cichlids in a 55-gallon tank.

Water Parameters for Blue Dolphin Cichlid

Like most African Cichlid tanks, the community tank requires rock caves that can provide hideaways and areas for the fish to establish its domain. Driftwood and hardy plants can be used as well.

Since the Blue Dolphin is a base and middle swimmer, an open swimming area must be given in a good-sized aquarium. In addition, coral with a little care they sand and a tiny rockery should be used to embellish the community aquarium’s open spaces.

A good tank filtering infrastructure is crucial, as well as regular water adjustments of 15%.

Water Temperature

The ideal water temperature for Blue Dolphin Cichlid should be between 72- and 84-degrees Fahrenheit.

pH Level

The perfect water pH level for Blue Dolphin Cichlid is within the range of 7.0 and 8.8. The Cichlid prefers water conditions to be alkaline.

Water Hardness

The hardness of the water can range from 10 to 18 DH.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Tank Landscape

The mineral richness of the streams that run into Lake Malawi is substantial. This, combined with evaporation, has evolved in extremely mineralized alkaline water. In terms of pH and other liquid mixtures, Lake Malawi is noted for its stability and understanding. So, it’s simple to see why all Lake Malawi fish require constant monitoring of tank settings.

Cichlids from the Rift Valley require hard, alkaline, and are not seen in brackish water. To improve the carbonate hardness of water, salt is occasionally employed as a stabilizing agent. Since this Cichlid can tolerate some salt, it can be called a saltwater fish in mild Saline water. It is not, unfortunately, suitable for a full brackish water tank. It can withstand saline of roughly 10%.

A lower limit of 75 gallons and a length of 5 feet is the recommended tank requirements. Blue dolphins can live in either freshwater or saline water, but they require a lot of wave action and highly effective filtering. In addition, their eyes will be ruined by poor quality water. They will seem most at ease on a sandy substrate. Sand from either saltwater or freshwater fish can be used.

However, saltwater sand will assist in maintaining a higher ph. Shredded coral or aragonite sand can also raise the carbonate hardness of water and degrades more easily than salts. Keeping the pH above average is crucial, but a higher pH means that ammonia is more harmful. Therefore, these fish require frequent water adjustments.

Best Plants for Blue Dolphin Cichlid Tanks

Small shrubs, mosses. This species can be found in Lake Malawi’s low, sandy areas. They generally avoid the lake’s steep cliffs, which are home to cichlids. If stones and tunnels are used in the aquarium, they should be reduced to a minimum and placed out of the way so that this species has enough room to swim. They are diggers who prefer sandy or coarse gravel as a habitat.

Feeding Blue Dolphin Cichlid

Best Diet for Blue Dolphin Cichlid

In terms of eating, H. Moorii is similar to planktonic eaters. However, it does not have a specific feed specialization.

The blue dolphin eats organic debris, various types of a floating life, delicate ultimate phreatophytes, and benthic boneless worms.

Synthetic, natural, live, and frozen foods, and plant-based feeds are all consumed in the aquarium. However, the meal should be some sort of high protein diet, such as blood worms, shellfish, or worms.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Behavior and Temperament

This semi-aggressive carnivore can become rather possessive if housed in a confined tank with only a few concealing areas. Since the Blue Dolphin will hide through sand if it senses danger, it’s best to use sand as a habitat.

The good news is that, though it may destroy plants when burrowing itself, it will not consume them because plants are never a regular component of its meaty foods. That’s why you must only put plants in the tank that have solid roots.

Are Blue Dolphin Cichlid Lone or Societal in Nature?

As it is a predator, it only stays fine with fishes larger than it or the same size, and not with small fish. Smaller fish eventually gets preyed on.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid Sexual Dimorphism?

To distinguish between male and female Blue Dolphin Cichlid Males and females of Blue Dolphin cichlids are nearly similar, making them sexually monomorphic. Aside from the possibility that males will develop more significant protrusions or grow slightly more prominent, venting is the most outstanding technique to tell them differently.