Buttikoferi Cichlid

Once this fish gets to ten inches, it should be given its own tank or eaten. This is a very aggressive fish and can handle other aggressive species such as red devils and zebras, but keep a lookout for bullying when they get bigger. In Africa, this is a prized fish for eating, but in the USA, this is a prized aggressive pet fish.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Use a sand bottom, sturdy rockwork or driftwood and strong filtration, since big cichlids are messy eaters. Anchor decorations well, as they like to dig.

Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like shrimp. Avoid feeder fish, which can carry disease.

Tankmates: Keep them only with other large, robust cichlids and catfish that can hold their own. They will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouth.

Good to know: Buttikoferi grow fast and become very aggressive as adults, so many keepers end up housing them alone or with equally large, tough fish.