Blue Dolphin Cichlid – Cyrtocara moorii – Juvenile

The Blue Dolphin Cichlid (Cyrtocara moorii) is a unique-looking cichlid. Both the male and female become soft blue in color as they mature. They also develop a hump on their heads, which can vary in size and shape. This hump and their unique protruding mouth give them their dolphin-like appearance. Juveniles are often silver-blue with three dark spots on their flanks. This large fish is generally peaceful but is best kept them in groups of 3 or more, 1 male to a few females. They are found in Lake Malombe (a much smaller lake south of Lake Malawi) as well as Lake Malawi.

Malawian and Victorian cichlids are similar in care and temperament, leading to fish from these two lakes being grouped together in the hobby. Several hundreds species of cichlid are found in Lake Malawi, along with many regional variations, but Lake Victoria has far fewer due to the introduction of invasive predators. Most cichlids in both lakes are rock-dwellers. They seldom stray far from the rocky bottoms and sides of the lake and will quickly dart into the rocks to hide. As with all cichlids, they are very territorial and will not tolerate other cichlids around \