{"product_id":"lawsi-cichlid-gephyrochromis-lawsi","title":"Lawsi Cichlid | Gephyrochromis lawsi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA lesser-seen Lake Malawi sand-and-rock dweller with a subtle blue sheen and busy, active habits. The Lawsi Cichlid grazes aufwuchs like an mbuna, stays a manageable 10–12 cm, and is a hardy, characterful pick for keepers after something a little different.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to the northern part of Lake Malawi in Malawi and Tanzania, where it grazes loose aufwuchs at the interface of rock and sand in hard, alkaline, warm water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA streamlined haplochromine with a metallic blue sheen on dominant males, softer grey-blue in females and subordinate fish, and the usual mbuna-style egg-spots on the anal fin. Understated but attractive in good light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and weakly territorial — males defend a patch but are less relentless than many mbuna. Keep as one male with several females in a busy, rock-and-sand Malawi tank to spread aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes aufwuchs in the wild. Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake with spirulina and vegetable content as the staple, plus occasional live or frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. Avoid an over-rich, high-protein diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline, warm water with a mix of rockwork and open sandy areas for this active swimmer and sand-grazer. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep it healthy and colourful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Breeding follows the usual Malawi pattern in a well-structured tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGephyrochromis lawsi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLawsi Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (northern), Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; weakly territorial\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\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (aufwuchs-based, vegetable-leaning)\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\u003eIntermediate keepers; Lake Malawi mbuna\/sand-dweller community\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\u003eMostly — may graze soft plants; hardy Anubias and Vallisneria suit best\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther moderately robust Malawi cichlids in a busy, rock-and-sand tank — mbuna and peaceful haps of similar temperament, one male per species where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, timid or slow species, and very aggressive mbuna that will bully it. Do not mix with Tanganyikan or South American soft-water cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232778174755,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232778207523,"sku":"AA3040","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232778240291,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Lawsi_Cichlid_dbaeb702-0f0a-41f4-8c11-7c814caf5cb3.jpg?v=1781446495","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lawsi-cichlid-gephyrochromis-lawsi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}