Calvus Cichlid
Altolamprologus calvus
The Calvus Cichlid (Altolamprologus calvus) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons), water held at 75-81°F, and a pH of 7.5-9.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Calvus Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 150 litres (40 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-81°F and a pH around 7.5-9. They reach about 15 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Calvus Cichlids Eat?
They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.
Calvus Cichlid Tank Mates
Lake Tanganyika predator; very slow-growing. Ambushes small fish and fry. Laterally compressed body. The Calvus Cichlid is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Calvus Cichlids Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Calvus Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Calvus Cichlids need?
Calvus Cichlids need a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Calvus Cichlids need?
Keep them at 75-81°F with a pH of 7.5-9, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Calvus Cichlids eat?
Calvus Cichlids have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Calvus Cichlids good for beginners?
Calvus Cichlids are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Calvus Cichlids
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 150 litres (40 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Calvus Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Black Skirt TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
