Cyrtocara moorii
Cyrtocara moorii
The Cyrtocara moorii (Cyrtocara moorii) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 350 litres (92 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 7.5-8.5.
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.
Cyrtocara moorii Tank Setup
Give them at least 350 litres (92 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 75-82°F and a pH around 7.5-8.5. They grow to around 25 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Cyrtocara mooriis Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Cyrtocara moorii Tank Mates
Blue Dolphin Cichlid; relatively peaceful for its size. Develops pronounced nuchal hump with age. The Cyrtocara moorii is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 25 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. 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 Cyrtocara mooriis 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.
Cyrtocara moorii - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Cyrtocara mooriis need?
Cyrtocara mooriis need a tank of at least 350 litres (92 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 Cyrtocara mooriis need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 7.5-8.5, 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 Cyrtocara mooriis eat?
Cyrtocara mooriis are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Cyrtocara mooriis good for beginners?
Cyrtocara mooriis 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 Cyrtocara mooriis
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 350 litres (92 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 Cyrtocara mooriis
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
