Thomasi Dwarf Cichlid

The Thomasi cichlid, or African butterfly cichlid, is one of the smallest cichlids found in Africa. Thomasi cichlids have a temperament similar to South American rams and should not be kept in a typical African cichlid tank. These dwarf cichlids are excellent additions to planted and community fish tanks. One interesting thing these fish do in the small streams of Liberia: when threatened, they burrow as deep as a foot into the mud and can stay there for as long as an hour. Thomasi dwarf cichlids adapt to flake and pellet food and handle low pH water conditions.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: West African cichlids prefer soft to neutral water. Use a sand or fine gravel bottom with plants, driftwood and caves or flowerpots for spawning.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They get along with peaceful community fish like tetras, barbs, rasboras, corydoras and plecos. Give each pair its own territory, and expect more defensiveness when breeding.

Good to know: Thomasi are peaceful dwarf cichlids for planted community tanks, not for rift-lake cichlid tanks.