Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans
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| Common name: | African Butterfly Cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Anomalochromis thomasi |
| Synonyms: | Paratilapia thomasi, Pelmatochromis thomasi, Hemichromis thomasi, Haplochromis thomasi |
| Size: | Approx 3" (7cm) |
| Origin: | West Africa: Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone |
| Tank setup: | Planted tank, with rock and bogwood caves. |
| Compatibility: | Normally quite timid for a cichlid, but they will become territorial when spawning. |
| Temperature: | 24-28oC (75-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Soft and slightly acidic to neutral pH. |
| Feeding: | Omnnivorous: feed a varied diet of dry foods including a veggie component, supplemented with live or frozen foods. |
| Sexing: | Not obvious, but males are slightly larger and have more elongated dorsal and anal fin rays. |
| Breeding: | Substrate spawner. Eggs are normally attached to hard surfaces, and should hatch after 2-3 days. The fry should be free-swimming a few days later.
Both parents look after the fry. |
| Comments: |
This is the only species in the genus (monotypic). Colours can become very intense when breeding, with dark bars on the body.
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