Felipe's Fish
Demasoni Cichlid
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Product Information
Scientific Name: Chindongo demasoni
Formerly: Pseudotropheus demasoni
The Demasoni Cichlid is a striking Lake Malawi Mbuna known for its intense blue coloration and bold dark vertical stripes. Both males and females display the characteristic blue-and-black pattern, making Demasoni especially attractive compared with African cichlids where only mature males develop the strongest coloration. The currently accepted scientific placement is Chindongo demasoni, although the older name Pseudotropheus demasoni remains extremely common in the aquarium trade.
Despite their small size, Demasoni are highly territorial and aggressive Mbuna. They should not be treated like peaceful dwarf cichlids. Proper stocking, substantial rockwork, visual barriers, and carefully selected Mbuna tankmates are important for managing aggression.
Care Level: Moderate–Advanced
Temperament: Aggressive / Territorial
Purchase Size: Approximately 1–2 inches
Adult Size: Approximately 3 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons recommended
Temperature: 75–82°F
pH: 7.6–8.8
Hardness: 10–25 dGH
Diet: Primarily herbivorous / aufwuchs grazer
Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa
Recommended Group: Best maintained using a carefully planned Mbuna stocking strategy rather than as a single territorial specimen.
Recommended Setup: Provide a sand substrate and extensive rockwork arranged into caves, crevices, territories, and visual barriers. Strong filtration and stable, hard, alkaline water are important. Demasoni should generally be housed with appropriately selected robust Mbuna rather than peaceful Peacocks or other passive species. Because aggression toward their own species can be intense, stocking should be planned carefully rather than simply adding a few fish to an existing community.
Their diet should contain a substantial amount of vegetable and algae-based food. Quality Mbuna pellets or flakes containing spirulina and other plant material are appropriate, with richer foods used sparingly.
Please Note: Demasoni Cichlids naturally vary in size, sex, coloration, and markings. Males and females are extremely similar in appearance, making reliable visual sexing difficult, especially in juveniles. Unless specifically stated otherwise, sex is not guaranteed. The fish you receive may not look exactly like the individual pictured.
All livestock from Felipe’s Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.