{"product_id":"venustus-cichlid","title":"Venustus Cichlid","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNimbochromis venustus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Venustus Cichlid, Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Venustus Cichlid is a large Lake Malawi Hap known for its distinctive dark giraffe-like blotches over a yellow-to-gold body. Juveniles and females retain more of the blotched pattern, while mature dominant males can develop striking metallic blue coloration across the face and head with increasingly vivid yellow coloration across the body. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVenustus are natural \u003cstrong\u003eambush predators\u003c\/strong\u003e. In Lake Malawi, they can partially bury themselves in sand and remain motionless before striking smaller fish that approach. Because of their adult size and predatory behavior, they require substantially more room than the smaller Mbuna and Peacock Cichlids in our catalog. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate–Advanced\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Aggressive \/ Predatory\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurchase Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1.5–2.5 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 8–10 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e125 gallons recommended for adults\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–82°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20 dGH\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore \/ Piscivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lake Malawi, Africa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e Can be kept individually; breeding groups should generally consist of one male with multiple females. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Setup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a large aquarium with a fine sand substrate, open swimming space, and rockwork positioned to create shelter and visual barriers without overcrowding the tank. Strong filtration and well-oxygenated, hard, alkaline water are essential. Tankmates should be robust African cichlids large enough that they cannot be viewed as prey. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a high-quality carnivorous cichlid pellet as the staple diet supplemented with appropriate protein-rich frozen foods such as mysis, krill, shrimp, and similar foods. Venustus are naturally piscivorous, but feeder fish are unnecessary and can introduce parasites or disease. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Juvenile Venustus Cichlids look considerably different from mature males. Young fish typically display a pale yellow\/silver body with dark blotching, like the fish pictured, while mature males can develop brilliant blue facial coloration and stronger yellow coloration. Sex and exact adult coloration are not guaranteed when purchasing juveniles. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll livestock from Felipe’s Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Felipe's Fish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52679190446360,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/9830\/2744\/files\/venustus1.png?v=1789388321","url":"https:\/\/felipesfish.com\/products\/venustus-cichlid","provider":"Felipe's Fish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}