Demasoni Cichlid 3-4CM The Demasoni cichlid is found exclusively in the deep rocky environment at Pombo Rocks, located on the northeastern side of the lake. It is part of the Mbuna group of cichlids. For an aquarium, a minimum length of 4ft is recommended, designed to mimic a rocky reef with some sandy open areas. You can use decor like ocean rock to create solid structures that rise from the bottom of the tank to just below the water’s surface. These structures should be designed to provide numerous crevices for the fish to explore while ensuring the rocks remain stable, even if the fish dig around them. While a substrate of coral sand or Aragonite is often suggested to maintain hard and alkaline water, Mbuna tend to feel more secure and display brighter colors on a darker substrate. The Aragonite or coral sand can be placed in a mesh bag and kept in the external filter for buffering. Many rock-dwelling species are highly aggressive and should be kept in ‘controlled-overcrowding’ conditions to avoid fatal territorial conflicts; additional filtration may be necessary to manage a heavy bioload. The Demasoni cichlid is particularly aggressive, and it is advisable to keep one male with a large group of females (having just one female with a male can lead to constant harassment and death). This species can coexist with other strong, outgoing Mbuna, but it is crucial to avoid fish with similar color patterns. We suggest adding Demasoni cichlids as the final addition to an aquarium, as they can become very territorial when new tankmates are introduced into what they consider their established territory (especially the dominant male), which can lead to fatal outcomes, even for larger fish. This fish is not only beautiful but also fascinating to observe, as it tends to closely follow the shapes of the rocks, swimming at unusual angles and even going under them. If you need real photos instead of the stock photo, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be delighted to provide you with videos and pictures All Sizes are approx
