Demasoni Cichlid

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Small but ferocious. Keep demasonis in a big group so their aggression is spread out – in pairs, they fight to the end.

An aggressive freshwater fish that grows to 8 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 6 or more and needs 24–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.8 and an aquarium of at least 150 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

7.5–8.8

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Aquarium

150 L or bigger (40 US gal)

Temperament

Aggressive

Group size

6 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Herbivore

Wild home

Pombo Rocks, Lake Malawi

Good to know

• Territorial. Fights other territorial fish in its zone, especially in small tanks.

Tank mates

Good company: Bala Shark, Bristlenose Pleco, Electric Blue Acara, Ghost Shrimp, Mystery Snail, Neocaridina Shrimp, Nerite Snail, Siamese Algae Eater, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Fights with: Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Pea Puffer, Yellow Lab Cichlid.

Attacks: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra and 31 more.

Attacked by: Firemouth Cichlid.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish, Firemouth Cichlid, Kribensis and 7 more.

Colours and breeding

• Classic rare

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 1 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.