The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Haplochromis Venustus Giraffe Malawi African Cichlid
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Venustus or Giraffe cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus) is a large Lake Malawi predator with a striking giraffe-like blotched pattern; dominant males turn bright blue on the head with a golden-yellow body. Endemic to Lake Malawi, it hunts sandy and rocky shallows by ambush. Suited to keepers with a big Malawi haplochromine or predator tank.
- Adult Size: Up to 25 cm (10 in); males larger and more colourful
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi, endemic and widespread
- Habitat: Shallow rocky and sandy zones with soft substrate
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous, piscivore
- Preferred Foods: Large cichlid pellets, prawn, lancefish, whitebait, mussel, krill
- Feeding Habits: Once daily; avoid mammal meat and feeder goldfish
Tank Mates
- Best with: Large Malawi haps, Frontosa, Dimidiochromis, big Synodontis
- Avoid: Anything small enough to eat, mbuna, similar-looking Nimbochromis males
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Predatory but fairly calm with large fish
- Territoriality: Males territorial when breeding
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Adult size, heavy waste load and eventual tank space
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 7.6–8.8
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for adults; juveniles can start smaller
Final Notes
Buyers should plan for a genuinely big fish that will outgrow a standard community aquarium and eat any small tank mate. It is a famous ambush hunter, lying motionless on the sand as if dead before striking, hence its local name meaning 'sleeper'. A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder, but females are prone to spitting broods when stressed. Give it open sand, a few rock caves and strong filtration and it becomes a spectacular showpiece.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.