Cyrtocara Moorii - Blue Dolphin

Cyrtocara Moorii is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family and one of the most popular Malawi cichlids, with a relatively peaceful nature. In nature it follows large sandsifters such as Fossorochromis, waiting to punce on food items unearthed by the larger Cichlids. In Aquarium, it can be difficult to sex Cyrtocara moorii, even at a mature size. Young Cyrtocara moorii are greyish with cross stripes. When they grow up, both the male and female are pale blue with three spots on the flank. The Blue Dolphin is moderately easy to care for as long as the tank is large enough, water is kept clean, and the aquascaping is correct. Buy Live Fish online with Coburg Aquarium in Australia

Features of Cyrtocara moorii:

• Its overall coloring is a beautiful blue with various amounts of black markings
• It develops a large bump on its head as it matures. These distinctive features make it look much like a dolphin
• They are hard to breed due to pairing problems - they will select their own partner, and also, they are a polygamous species
• A fish to be recommended both to experienced and advanced aquarists
• The Cyrtocara mooriis average lifespan : 10 years

 

Cyrtocara moorii: Care, Diet and Tank Mates

The Best Aquarium Size for Cyrtocara moorii:

It is recommened to use the big tank you can possibly manage. Because Cyrtocara Moorii may grow to large size, a tank capacity of 250L for one fish is recommended.

After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse Aquarium Tank Selection here.

Cyrtocara moorii Tank Mate Compatibility:

This is a more peaceful cichlid overall, but males can be aggressive towards other males of their own kind. They are a polygamous species and it is best to keep one male with at least three females. Possible tank mates you can consider are:

• Frontosa Burundi Cichlids
  
• Cuckoo Catfish
  
• Peacock Cichlids

Cyrtocara moorii Food :

Great diet ideas include feeder fish, commerical food, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and crickets. Some good commerical food brands for this fish:

• Hikari Cichlid Fish Food
• OSI Cichlid Premier Pellets (M)
  
• Fish Fuel Frozen Cichlid Food
• Bloodworms
• Dried blackworms
• Brine Shrimp

You can search more Cyrtocara moorii food in our High Quality Fish Foods collections.

Cyrtocara moorii Tank Setup:

Aquarium Filtration

Cyrtocara Moorii are very sensitive to water conditions,they need good water movement along with very strong and efficient filtration. Poor water quality will ruin their eyes. Here are some great brands to consider:

• Aqua One Internal Filters, Canister Filters, Hang On Filters
• Eheim Classic Canister Filter with Media
• Fluval Internal Filter, Hang On Filter, Canister Filter
• Oase Internal Filters, Canister Filters

Power head Brands:

• Dymax Powerhead
• Oase OptiMax Pump
• Sicce Voyager Aquarium Pump

Aquarium Heater

The aquarium should be heated, depending on your area’s climate. Install an aquarium heater if necessary.

Aquatic Plants

Cyrtocara moorii love to dig up the plants and . Fill your tank with hardy plants like Anubias and java ferns. Or live aquarium plants that attach to driftwood and rocks, or potted plants are recommended, like Anubias on Driftwood, Aquarium Plants in pot. Check our Live Aquarium Plants here.

Aquarium Decorations

Provide some rock work and wood that is arranged to provide a lot of holes for hiding places.They like to dig so make sure the rocks sit on the bottom of the aquarium, not on the substrate, and any plants need to be anchored. Nice Ornaments Brands to consider:

• biOrb Ornaments Collections
• Aqua One Ornaments Collections
• Kazoo Ornaments Collections
• Bonsai Driftwood Collections
• Big Rocks and Coves are only avalibale in Coburg Aquarium physical store

Aquarium Substrate

Sand substrate will make them feel most at home.

A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.