photo credit: Rolf Lind

 

Dimidiochromis compressiceps is commonly called the "Malawi Eye-Biter," because this is a large and open water predator that is known to feed on eyes of other fishes. This is a nice sized African cichlid reaching some nine inches. Male species prowl constantly unless preparing to breed therefore their no territorial. This species is dimorphic with males showing beautiful electric blue coloring with fluorescent reds and oranges on their fins. What makes this fish awesome and recognizable is the jaw; they look the part of the predator and are their body shapes reflect it. Their bodies are compressed or commonly referred to as laterally-compressed bodies which give them an unfair advantage, the can hide among plants and dart out and snatch passing prey that passes by.

 

 

These are egg layers when spawning and the females incubate the eggs in their mouths releasing free swimming fry. Females can have broods of fry totaling 250. Besides differences in coloration, females are generally smaller in size. Check out the video below for two reasons, one to see the coloration differences between male and female and to watch them perform their spawning ritual. Males really show off their stuff. These are awesome and powerful cichlids worth keeping. Sadly these fish are endangered in the wild due to potential over fishing for the aquarium trade according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered fish.