Cyrtocara Moorii - Dolphin Cichlid

JDiddy4981

Large Fish
Jun 2, 2003
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St Louis
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#1
I currently have a 55 gallon that is cycled and the water is perfect..... I had my eye on some frontosa's but it looks like I'm out of luck w/ those. With the Dolphin Cichlid be OK in a 55 gallon. And if so how many would live happily in there... 1, 2, 3, ... etc....

Thanks!!!*celebrate *BOUNCINGS
 

Purple

Superstar Fish
Oct 31, 2003
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Hampshire UK
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#3
Blue Dolphin cichlids get to 10 inches when fully grown - but it takes them a while to get there. I've had mine for 8 months now, and he's still only 6 inches long. Whilst they have a reputation for being fairly docile, the juveniles are quite territorial, and will try to chase off anything that's near their bit of tank. A typical territory for mine will be around 2 sq ft. Fortunatley, they have small mouths and are incapable of serious harm to each other, or pretty much about any other fish - but they will lip-lock, so watch for damage there.

In a 55 - probably two quite easily, that would give them enough room as juves to settle down, and once bigger they should be easier to handle in general.

I've got mine in a mixed tank and he loves pushing the others around (except the Oscar). Feed on prawns and flakes, tough little fish with regard to disease.

Mine has stripes on his sides - just come from the LFS where they have one with two large spots, so marking differs. Lots of character, interesting to watch.
 

steve535

Large Fish
Feb 10, 2003
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nj
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#4
try going to cichlid-forum.com they have a good profile on them. i have a 4" dophin in my 55 with a bunch of Mbuna.he(?) is getting along fine with them.i also have 2 2" ones if i get a pair out of the three ill trade the third off.i feed mine krill, flake, and OSI veggie pellets.a great addition to my tank.
 

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Purple

Superstar Fish
Oct 31, 2003
1,666
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Hampshire UK
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#5
mines got the same colour as steve535's - though the mouth on mine is smaller. was thinking that a pair would be better if you could manage it (I had 2 but one kicked off after a month - no idea what happened, and haven't seen a suitable replacement since)