African butterfly cichlid DNZ - Anomalochromis thomasi

This beautiful and very peaceful cichlid is known as the African Butterfly Cichlid Anomalochromis thomasi . This pretty cichlid is native to West Africa, where it is found in coastal rivers in Sierra Leone, Guinia and Liberia. Anomalochromis thomasi has a silvery to yellowish ground coloration, dark markings, blue glittering spots on the body and two striking blue and red partially interrupted stripes in the dorsal fin and on top of the caudal fin. The remaining fins are rather transparent.  

Basically, the African Butterfly Cichlid is a bottom-oriented carnivore that likes to eat sinking live food and frozen food, but is also very happy to take special granulated food for carnivorous cichlids(NatureHolic Cichfeed) as well as food for omnivorous aquarium fish after acclimation, whether flakes, granules or tabs.

The males of the African Butterfly Cichlid grow to 8 inches in body length, while the females only grow to about 6 inches. The ladies are slightly thicker and more "bulbous" than the somewhat slimmer males.

In its native West African biotopes , the African Butterfly Cichlid lives in rather shady waters. In the aquarium, Anomalochromis thomasi does not appreciate too bright lighting either. You can plant the edges of your aquarium densely for these pretty African Butterfly Cichlids. The cichlids find hiding places in plants and roots or stones. Free swimming space in the middle of the aquarium, on the other hand, encourages the colorful cichlids to be more active. You should definitely add humic substances to the aquarium water - these are familiar to the cichlids from their home waters. Large-leaved aquarium plants and floating plants on the water surface shade the aquarium accordingly, which is welcome to the fish.

A pair of the African Butterfly Cichlid already fits into a standard aquarium with an edge length of 100 cm. Because these West African cichlids are territorially inclined, the aquarium must be chosen for several pairs accordingly significantly larger. The socialization with other peaceful fish with similar requirements to the water values usually works very well. Also growth eating catfish are good aquarium partners for the cool little cichlids.

Anomalochromis thomasi prefers rather soft to medium-hard water with a pH of 6-7.5. Humic substances are virtually vital for this butterfly cichlid. From its habitat the African Butterfly Cichlid is used to water that contains humic substances. The beautiful African Butterfly Cichlid feels perfectly well at a water temperature between 23 and 28 °C. Anomalochromis thomasi likes clean, uncontaminated water in its aquarium, so regular water changes are mandatory.

African butterfly cichlids bond with their partner for life. The parents care devotedly for their offspring. As an open breeder, the female spawns on a rock or large plant leaf that has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand by the pair of fish. The spawn is guarded. Near the spawning site, the cichlids dig a shallow pit where they collect the hatched fish larvae.

Even when the fry are already swimming freely, they are guided and guarded by their parents. Males and females take turns at this task. Stress or disturbance may cause the African Butterfly Cichlids to abandon or even eat their clutch. Young Anomalochromis thomasi are very fond of eating artemiauplia, cyclops, infusoria and microworms .

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1,5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for mainly carnivorous ornamental fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that the fish eat naturally, and the soft granules protect the fish mouth from micro injuries that can be caused by hard feed granules.

The NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. We supply Hauptfeed in the form of soft granules, which, thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter, can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.