{"product_id":"albino-blue-dolphin-cichlid-cyrtocara-moorii","title":"Albino Blue Dolphin Cichlid | Cyrtocara moorii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Albino Blue Dolphin Cichlid is a rare pale form of a Lake Malawi favourite, soft cream where the wild fish is powder blue, but with the same friendly nuchal hump and easy-going nature. A big, characterful hap reaching around 20 cm, it makes a calm, imposing centrepiece for a large Malawi community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCyrtocara moorii lives over the open sandy floors of Lake Malawi, cruising the sediment plains away from the rocky mbuna zones and following goby-cichlids to snap up prey they disturb. The lake is hard, alkaline and stable. Open sand, some rock and plenty of swimming room recreate its habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis albino strain is a soft cream to pale gold, lacking the wild fish's blue but keeping the tall forehead that develops into a pronounced hump in mature males, and the gently sloping, dolphin-like snout. It is a large, deep-bodied cichlid. Good diet and space bring out its full size and presence.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is fairly mild for a large cichlid, though it is still predatory and will eat fish small enough to swallow, and males can be pushy when breeding. It suits a spacious Malawi community of similarly sized haps and peacocks. A ratio of one male to several females reduces harassment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore in the wild, it thrives on quality cichlid pellets and granules as a staple, supplemented with frozen mysis, krill and brine shrimp. Avoid excessive protein-poor or warm-blooded meats. Feed measured amounts once or twice daily and keep some Spirulina content for balanced nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 340 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for a group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.6–8.6 and GH hard, around 10–25. Provide open sand for its natural sifting, some rockwork and strong, efficient filtration to handle the bioload, with regular water changes. It is generally plant safe but will dig, so plants are best potted or omitted.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After courtship over open sand the female collects the fertilised eggs and broods them in her mouth for around three weeks, releasing well-formed fry. A calm dominant male and several females in a spacious tank give the best breeding results.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCyrtocara moorii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Blue Dolphin Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 20 cm (up to 25 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild for size but predatory to small fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e340 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, krill and brine shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.6–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH (Rift Lake)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge hard-water Malawi community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally yes (but digs sand)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other medium to large Malawi haps and peacocks, and robust but not overly aggressive open-water cichlids of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish it can eat, with very aggressive mbuna that will harass it, and in hard-scaped mbuna tanks lacking open swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232779780387,"sku":null,"price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232779813155,"sku":"AA1370","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232779845923,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351957979427,"sku":null,"price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Albino_Blue_Dolphin_Cyrtocara_moorii_2d630ffa-9431-4129-82b4-1439b2b665b2.jpg?v=1781446622","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-blue-dolphin-cichlid-cyrtocara-moorii","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}