Malawi eyebiter
Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Cichlidae
Moderate
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
23-28 °C
pH
7.5-8.8
Size
25 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Min tank250 L
Price$$$$
DietCarnivore
TemperamentSemi-aggressive
OriginAfrica
Shrimp-safeNo
Care guide
The Malawi eyebiter reaches about 25 cm standard length and is a distinctive predator endemic to Lake Malawi. Its body is strongly laterally compressed — the specific name compressiceps means 'compressed head' — and it has a large mouth that allows it to swallow fish up to 12 cm long. A tank with a base of 150 by 37.5 cm (about 250 L) suits a small group of one male with several females. Temperature of 23–28 °C with pH 7.5–8.8 and hard, alkaline water reflect the lake's conditions. The aquarium should feature piles of rocks forming caves, open swimming space, and a sandy substrate; planting with Vallisneria in dense patches mimics natural habitat. Diet is piscivorous: whole or chopped prawns, mussel, cockle, and lancefish, offered as dead foods once trained. It is peaceful toward fish too large to eat — avoid tankmates under 12 cm. Males are more colourful with blue sheen and orange-red fin highlights, and become territorial only during spawning. Several females per male spreads aggression. The species can be trained to accept pellets over time.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (9)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demon eartheater Satanoperca jurupari Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Electric blue ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Firemouth cichlid Thorichthys meeki Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Shell Dweller Lamprologus ocellatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Jewelfish Hemichromis bimaculatus Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Multies Neolamprologus multifasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Temporaris Shell Dweller Telmatochromis temporalis Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
3 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Haitian cichlid Nandopsis haitiensis Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Hump-head Cyrtocara moorii Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Pearly calvus Altolamprologus calvus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
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