Care Guide

Tank Size

• Minimum: 40 gallons

• Ideal: 55+ gallons for a community setup

Temperament

• One of the least aggressive Mbuna

• Good choice for semi-peaceful Malawi setups

• Works well in groups of 4–6 to reduce chasing

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

• pH: 7.8–8.6

• Hardness: Medium–hard to very hard

• Water movement: Moderate, well-oxygenated

Diet

Rusty Cichlids are omnivorous, but in the wild they graze mostly on algae.

• Spirulina flakes

• High-quality cichlid pellets

• Veggie-based foods

• Occasional treats: brine shrimp, daphnia
  Avoid high-fat foods like bloodworms — they can cause digestive issues in Mbuna.

Tank Setup

• Rockwork with caves and hiding spaces

• Sand or fine gravel substrate

• Keep open swimming space along the front

• Provide multiple territories if keeping males

Behavior Notes

• Peaceful for a Malawi cichlid

• Excellent for mixed Mbuna tanks

• Less likely to nip compared to more aggressive species

• Best kept with mild-mannered Mbuna like Yellow Labs, Acei, or other smaller species

Breeding

• Maternal mouthbrooder

• Females hold eggs for ~21 days

• Fry are easy to raise on crushed flakes and baby brine shrimp