{"product_id":"haplochromis-moorii-blue-dolphin-malawi-african-cichlid","title":"Haplochromis Moorii Blue Dolphin Malawi African Cichlid","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Dolphin, Cyrtocara moorii, is a deep-bodied Malawi hap in soft powder blue that develops a distinctive rounded forehead hump with age, giving it its common name. Endemic to Lake Malawi, it patrols shallow sandy shorelines in groups, often following sand-sifting fish to pick up disturbed food. A slow-growing gentle giant, it suits patient keepers with a large, peaceful hap community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 20 cm (8 in), occasionally up to 25 cm (10 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–10 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Lake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow open water over sandy substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous micro-predator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, krill, chopped prawn, quality cichlid pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Twice daily; live and frozen foods should make up most of the diet; feed sparingly to avoid bloat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Large peaceful haps, peacocks, Frontosa, Synodontis catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Mbuna, boisterous species, fish small enough to be swallowed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful for a large cichlid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; males become pushy only when spawning, so plenty of cover helps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow growth, large adult size, easily bullied by rowdier cichlids; stable, well-filtered water is essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 25–29°C (77–84°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.5–8.8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 300 litres with a 150 cm long footprint for a group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Dolphins are a shoaling species and do best in a group of six or more, growing slowly over several years and needing a long tank with sand and open space to swim. They are polygamous maternal mouthbrooders that are hard to sex until mature, when males grow larger with a bigger hump. Both sexes carry the blue colour. A calm, characterful centrepiece for a Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"3\"","offer_id":64680662008185,"sku":"STF-HAP-MOORII-3","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4\"","offer_id":64680662040953,"sku":"STF-HAP-MOORII-4","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5\"","offer_id":64680662073721,"sku":"STF-HAP-MOORII-5","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"","offer_id":64680662106489,"sku":"STF-HAP-MOORII-2","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\"","offer_id":64680662139257,"sku":"STF-HAP-MOORII-1","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-HAP-MOORII.png?v=1790096795","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/haplochromis-moorii-blue-dolphin-malawi-african-cichlid","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}