Sciaenochromis fryeri
Sciaenochromis fryeri
The Sciaenochromis fryeri (Sciaenochromis fryeri) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons), water held at 73-82°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.
Sciaenochromis fryeri Tank Setup
Give them at least 280 litres (74 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 73-82°F and a pH around 7.5-8.5. They reach about 18 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Sciaenochromis fryeris Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Sciaenochromis fryeri Tank Mates
Electric Blue Hap; piscivore that hunts small fish. Keep with robust Malawi haps/peacocks. The Sciaenochromis fryeri is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. 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 Sciaenochromis fryeris 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.
Sciaenochromis fryeri - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Sciaenochromis fryeris need?
Sciaenochromis fryeris need a tank of at least 280 litres (74 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 Sciaenochromis fryeris need?
Keep them at 73-82°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 Sciaenochromis fryeris eat?
Sciaenochromis fryeris are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Sciaenochromis fryeris good for beginners?
Sciaenochromis fryeris 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 Sciaenochromis fryeris
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 280 litres (74 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Sciaenochromis fryeris will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
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 Sciaenochromis fryeris
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
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
- GuppySize risk - Sciaenochromis fryeris will likely eat Guppy at adult size
