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.
Pseudotropheus Saulosi Red Coral 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 Saulosi Red Coral is a line-bred form of the dwarf Lake Malawi mbuna Chindongo saulosi, selected for females and juveniles of a deep orange-red rather than plain yellow. Dominant males turn blue with dark vertical bars, giving a two-tone group. The wild form is endemic to Taiwanee Reef. Compact and comparatively mild, it suits a dedicated Malawi tank.
- Adult Size: Around 8–9 cm (3.5 in); males larger
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi: Taiwanee Reef (tank-bred selection)
- Habitat: Sediment-free upper rocky reef with strong currents
Feeding
- Diet: Herbivorous, aufwuchs grazer
- Preferred Foods: Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, nori, blanched spinach, daphnia, cyclops
- Feeding Habits: Two small feeds daily; vegetable based; colour-enhancing flake helps
Tank Mates
- Best with: Groups of its own kind; Labidochromis, Iodotropheus, other small mbuna
- Avoid: Large aggressive mbuna, other blue barred Chindongo (hybridise)
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Mildly aggressive for a mbuna
- Territoriality: Males hold small territories; groups with several females work best
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate, beginner-friendly for Malawi
- Challenges: Aggression rises in small tanks; low-protein diet needed; hard water
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)
- pH: 7.4–8.4
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Tank Size: Minimum 150 litres for a group of six or more
Final Notes
Buy a group of six or more; all start orange and only some males turn blue with maturity, so the red colour stays on show. It is a maternal mouthbrooder that spawns readily in stacked rockwork. The intensity of the red is line-bred, so keep it away from standard Saulosi if you want to maintain it. With a vegetable diet and good water this is one of the most colourful dwarf mbuna groups you can keep.
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.