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Acei Cichlid
Pseudotropheus acei
📍 Africa - Lake Malawi
The Acei Cichlid is a vibrant yellow and blue African cichlid from Lake Malawi known for its striking coloration and active behavior. These fish are moderately aggressive and territorial, making them suitable for experienced aquarists setting up a Malawi cichlid community. They are herbivorous grazers that require ample space and proper water parameters to thrive.
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Care Guide
Diet
Acei Cichlids are primarily herbivorous and should be fed high-quality spirulina-based pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach daily. Supplement with occasional small amounts of quality flake food. Feed once or twice daily in portions they can consume within 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Acei Cichlids are active swimmers that spend much of their time grazing on surfaces and exploring their environment. They are territorial, especially males, and will establish and defend feeding areas. They exhibit typical Malawi cichlid behavior including fin displays and occasional aggression toward conspecifics and similarly colored fish.
Breeding
Breeding Acei Cichlids is moderately difficult and requires mature males and females in optimal water conditions. They are maternal mouthbrooders; females incubate eggs in their mouths for approximately 3 weeks. Provide caves or rocky structures for spawning sites and separate fry into a nursery tank once they become free-swimming.
Tank Mates
Small size makes them potential prey; may be nipped by aggressive Acei
Peaceful algae eater that occupies different niche; generally ignored
Nocturnal bottom-dweller that avoids conflict with Acei during day
Can be aggressive; only compatible with larger, established Acei groups
Peaceful bottom-dweller that coexists well with Acei Cichlids
Common Diseases
Malawi Bloat
Abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty swimming, white feces
Perform 50% water changes, reduce feeding, offer high-quality herbivore diet, use Epsom salt baths (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons), and consider antibiotics if bacterial infection suspected
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, excessive scratching against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C (82-86°F), increase aeration, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or commercial ich treatment, and treat for 7-10 days
Hole-in-the-Head Disease
Pits or holes in head region, loss of appetite, white stringy feces, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, enhance diet with quality foods and vitamin supplements, use metronidazole if parasitic infection confirmed, and maintain optimal water parameters
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss, lethargy
Perform 50% water changes every 2-3 days, maintain pristine water quality, use antibiotic medication or salt baths, remove sharp decorations that may cause injury, and ensure adequate nutrition
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Herbivore - primarily algae-based foods, spirulina, and vegetable matter
- lifespan
- 8-10 years
- max size
- 14 cm (5.5 in)
- tank size
- 55 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.5-8.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 10-18 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)