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Freshwater fishCompressiceps Cichlid
Compressiceps Cichlid
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A strange-looking fish with the scary nickname Malawi Eye-biter, or the purple eye biter, they are no worse than any other cichlid when it comes to biting eyes. Haplochromis compressiceps, or more properly Nimbochromis compressiceps, are longer and slimmer than other cichlids, so they add variety to a cichlid tank. The males develop a deep purple shade to the body at four inches.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Dimidiochromis compressiceps |
| Origin | Lake Malawi, Africa |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive (males territorial) |
| Adult Size | Up to 10" |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (meaty foods) |
| Water Temperature | 76–82°F |
| pH | 7.8–8.6 |
| Shipping Size | Medium: approx. 2" · Large: approx. 3" · Jumbo: approx. 5" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them a sand bottom, open swimming space in front and rockwork along the back. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.
Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like brine shrimp.
Tankmates: Haps do well with peacocks and other haps of similar size, plus robust catfish like synodontis. Keep one male per similar-looking species, with several females, to limit fighting and crossbreeding.
Good to know: Compressiceps are ambush predators of small fish, so keep them with tankmates too big to swallow.
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