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Encyclopedia / African Cichlids / Demasoni cichlid
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Variations

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Demasoni cichlid

Chindongo demasoni · Pseudotropheus demasoni, Demasoni, Pindani, Blue demasoni, Demasoni mbuna

Territorial and needs a big colony of 12 or more to spread aggression; do not keep with other blue-striped mbuna.

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8 cmBody length, without tail ✓
24–28 °CTemperature ✓
7.8–8.6pH ✓
200 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful neon tetra.
  • Rift lake cichlids like demasoni cichlid need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful cardinal tetra.
  • Rift lake cichlids like demasoni cichlid need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful black neon tetra.
  • Rift lake cichlids like demasoni cichlid need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like demasoni cichlid need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Their pH needs don't quite meet (7.8–8.6 vs 5.5–7.5). Aim between the two and keep it steady.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like demasoni cichlid need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Only a narrow pH range suits both: 7.8–8.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

51 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓10–25 dGH
Group size ?12 or more
Temperament ✓Aggressive
Swims at ?All levels
Care level ✓Moderate
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 3–5 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Territorial and needs a big colony of 12 or more to spread aggression; do not keep with other blue-striped mbuna.

  • cave

Food

Quality spirulina-based cichlid pellets and flake once or twice a day; keep protein low and add vegetable matter such as spirulina and blanched greens.

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Male or female

Males and females look alike; mature males tend to be slightly larger and are more territorial and aggressive. Males have egg spots on the anal fin.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Maternal mouthbrooder (harem) · Moderate

A maternal mouthbrooder best spawned as a harem in a species tank. The male uses a pit or flat rock, the female lays the eggs and takes them into her mouth after he fertilises them, and she carries them for about 3 weeks.

Pairing

Keep one male with 3-5 females; a lone female is harassed to exhaustion and two males will fight.

Setup

150-250 L rockwork tank with many caves, hard alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.6) and strong filtration. Keep a bare 60 L tank handy to move a holding female.

What starts it

Stable warm water (26-28 C), regular water changes and a good male-to-female ratio; the male displays and leads a female to a flat rock or cave.

Eggs

The female carries the eggs for about 3 weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. No sourced egg count found.

Raising the fry

The female releases free-swimming fry after 3-4 weeks. Feed finely crushed flake, spirulina powder and newly hatched brine shrimp from day one; do small daily water changes. Remove the female after release so she can recover.

Common mistakes
  • Too few females so the male harasses them
  • Mixing similar-looking mbuna that hybridise
  • Soft or acidic water
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionLake Malawi – Tanzanian shore
Rivers and lakesLake Malawi (Pombo Rocks and Ndumbi Reef area)
HabitatShallow rocky reefs
Native rangeAbout 25 km across
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The story of the demasoni cichlid

A small, bold mbuna known only from Pombo Rocks in the Tanzanian part of Lake Malawi, described by Ad Konings in 1994 and named after cichlid importer and breeder Laif DeMason. It is listed as Vulnerable because of its tiny range and is one of the most aggressive mbuna for its size.

Konings described this small mbuna in 1994 from the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi. Its bold blue-and-black bars quickly made it a hobby favourite. Despite its small size it is one of the most territorial mbuna.

First described by Ad Konings in 1994. Named for Named after American aquarium fish importer Laif DeMason.

  • Adults usually reach only about 7–8 cm.
  • Males and females have almost the same striped pattern.
  • Keepers often house it in larger groups to spread out its aggression.

Sources

14 facts checked with sources