{"product_id":"electric-blue-cichlid-sciaenochromis-fryeri","title":"Electric Blue Cichlid | Sciaenochromis fryeri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew freshwater fish do blue like the Electric Blue Ahli — dominant males glow an unbroken electric blue from gill plate to tail. An active, mid-water Malawi hap reaching around 15 cm, it is a hunting predator of smaller fish and the jewel of many Rift Lake displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it patrols the open water and the transition zone between rocky and sandy habitats. The lake is hard, highly alkaline and remarkably stable, and these conditions must be reproduced closely for the fish to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMature males are a stunning solid electric blue, often with faint darker bars and a paler egg-spot marking on the anal fin. Females and subdominant males are a plainer silvery-grey, so the eye-catching colour is very much a male trait tied to breeding condition and rank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA semi-aggressive, predatory hap. It is territorial towards its own kind and towards similar blue males, and it will hunt fish small enough to swallow. Keep it with robust Malawi cichlids of comparable size and temperament, and house one male with several females to spread his attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that in the wild preys on small fish. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, with meaty frozen foods such as mysis and krill. Avoid feeding mammalian meats or excess protein-rich live foods that can cause digestive problems in Rift Lake cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with a sandy substrate, rockwork for territory and cover, and hard, alkaline, well-filtered water kept scrupulously clean. Strong filtration and regular water changes are essential given the fish's size and appetite. Stable, mineral-rich water is the key to good health and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After a courtship display over the male's territory, the female collects the fertilised eggs into her mouth and broods them there for around three weeks, releasing fully-formed fry. Females can be moved to a quiet tank to brood and release in safety.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSciaenochromis fryeri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElectric Blue Cichlid (Ahli)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (predatory)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge Lake Malawi cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally (Rift Lake tanks are usually rock-and-sand)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust Lake Malawi haps and peacocks of similar size and temperament, and other Rift Lake cichlids that share its hard, alkaline water needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall community fish that will be eaten, soft-water species, other similarly-coloured blue males, and slow or timid fish that cannot handle a semi-aggressive predator.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232779190563,"sku":"AA2042","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232779223331,"sku":"AA2043","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232779256099,"sku":"BA9107","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Electric_Blue_Cichlid_Sciaenochromis_fryeri_d66aa538-a3a6-48f2-ae49-1565292a8d8e.jpg?v=1781446642","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/electric-blue-cichlid-sciaenochromis-fryeri","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}