Photo: Alexandra Tyers (CC BY-SA 2.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Afra Cichlid (Cynotilapia afra)
A compact, electric-blue mbuna from Lake Malawi that rewards dedicated rift-lake keepers with bold colour and fascinating colony behaviour.
Will it live with a Afra Cichlid?
We compare each fish against your afra cichlid on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Blue Turbo Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Corydoras Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Japanese Trapdoor Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Marbled Hoplo✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotfin Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Talking Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Upside-down Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bearded Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Bearded Corydoras 6–7.6) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Clown Rasbora 5.5–7) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Afra Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Clown Rasbora — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Clown Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Daffodil Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Afra Cichlid and Daffodil Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Electric Yellow Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Giant Danio⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Expect Afra Cichlid to harass Giant Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Giant Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Golden Wonder Killifish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keyhole Cichlid⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Keyhole Cichlid 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Expect Afra Cichlid to harass Keyhole Cichlid at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Kribensis⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Kribensis 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Afra Cichlid and Kribensis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Kuhli Loach⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 5.5–7); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Water hardness preferences differ (Afra Cichlid 10–20 vs Kuhli Loach 1–8 dGH).
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Molly⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Afra Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Molly — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Porthole Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Porthole Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rosy Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Rosy Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rusty Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Afra Cichlid and Rusty Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Afra Cichlid and Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Topaz Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Zebra Pleco⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Hard care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Zebra Pleco 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (250 vs 10 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Afra Cichlid as food.
- Alligator Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy afra cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep afra cichlid in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Afra Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
- Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
- Afra Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Koi is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Redtail Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Spotted Gar 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Spotted Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy afra cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep afra cichlid in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Wels Catfish 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Afra Cichlid and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 72 cm predatory wolf cichlid — it will be eaten.
- Afra Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Wolf Cichlid is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Afra Cichlid care specs
- Care level
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Max size
- 10 cm (3.9 in)
- Min tank size
- 150 L (39.6 gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 7.8–8.6
- Hardness
- 10–20 dGH
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 6+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, East Africa — rocky shorelines
What is an Afra Cichlid?
The Afra cichlid (Cynotilapia afra), also known as the Dogtooth cichlid, is a compact mbuna endemic to the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi in East Africa. Males are vivid blue with bold dark vertical bars and egg-spots on the anal fin — one of the more intensely coloured cichlids available at a keeper-friendly 10 cm (4 in).
The “dogtooth” name refers to its unicuspid (single-pointed) teeth, used to pluck small invertebrates from rocky aufwuchs rather than scrape algae like most mbuna. This makes C. afra a true carnivore, which has direct implications for how it should be fed in captivity.
Despite its modest size, the Afra carries the full mbuna personality: territorial, assertive and relentlessly active. A well-designed rift-lake aquarium rewards the keeper with dazzling courtship displays and natural maternal mouthbrooding rarely seen in a community setup.
Where does the Afra Cichlid come from?
Cynotilapia afra is native to Lake Malawi, the southernmost of the Great African Rift Valley lakes, shared by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. The species occupies rocky intermediate zones along the shoreline — wave-washed boulders and caves that create a labyrinthine habitat with clear sightlines and intense light.
Lake Malawi is one of the world’s oldest and most stable lakes, with hard, alkaline, exceptionally clear water. That stable chemistry translates directly into strict water-parameter requirements in the aquarium. Attempting to keep Afra cichlids in soft or acidic water is one of the most common errors new rift-lake keepers make.
What size tank does an Afra Cichlid need?
The minimum recommended tank size is 150 L (40 gal), and larger is strongly advisable when keeping a proper colony. A standard 4-foot (120 cm) tank is a workable starting point; a 5- or 6-foot tank gives significantly more territory and noticeably reduces aggression.
Footprint matters more than height. A long, low tank gives more horizontal territory to establish and defend. Stack limestone, slate or cichlid-specific artificial rockwork into caves, overhangs and visual barriers — these line-of-sight breaks are functional aggression management, not decoration. A subordinate male that can escape a pursuer’s view is far less likely to be harassed to exhaustion. Leave a clear open area in the middle column; Afra cichlids use the mid-water zone actively. A tight-fitting lid is advisable — startled mbuna can jump.
What water parameters do Afra Cichlids need?
- Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH: 7.8–8.6 — hard alkaline; do not allow it to drop below 7.6
- Hardness: 10–20 dGH
Use crushed coral, aragonite or a dedicated rift-lake substrate to buffer pH passively. Inert silica sand alone provides no buffering and should be avoided.
Strong biological filtration is essential — mbuna colonies produce substantial waste, and Lake Malawi itself is pristine. Aim for 8–10 times the tank volume per hour in turnover, split across two filters where possible. Weekly water changes of 25–30 % are standard; condition new water to match tank temperature and pH before adding it. Stability outweighs precision: sudden swings in pH or temperature are more dangerous than a parameter that is slightly off target.
What do Afra Cichlids eat?
Afra cichlids are carnivores. In the wild they use their unicuspid teeth to pick invertebrates, small crustaceans and zooplankton from the aufwuchs layer on rocks — they do not graze algae the way many of their mbuna neighbours do.
In the aquarium, a high-quality cichlid pellet or flake formulated for carnivorous mbuna forms the staple. Supplement two or three times weekly with frozen or live protein: brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, daphnia or bloodworm. Feed small amounts once or twice daily and remove uneaten food promptly.
Avoid beef heart, fatty mammalian meats and heavily plant-based foods. Overly plant-heavy diets can contribute to Malawi bloat in carnivorous species — keep the diet protein-focused and lean.
Are Afra Cichlids aggressive — and what fish can live with them?
Afra cichlids are semi-aggressive and that label deserves respect. Intraspecies aggression between males is constant and can be lethal in cramped conditions. The safest colony structure is one male to four or more females — two males in a 150 L tank will usually result in the submissive male being killed or fatally stressed. In larger tanks (240 L+) a second male can sometimes coexist if rockwork is sufficiently complex.
For tankmates, choose other mbuna of comparable size and similar aggression level: species from genera such as Labidochromis, Pseudotropheus and Melanochromis can work when tank space is adequate. Avoid other blue-barred mbuna species that visually resemble C. afra — males may treat them as conspecific rivals. Non-cichlid species rarely thrive in the Malawi biotope’s chemistry and high-aggression dynamics.
Slight overstocking (60–80 % of normal density), done alongside excellent filtration and frequent water changes, distributes aggression more evenly by preventing any single fish from monopolising territory. Rearrange rockwork each time you add new fish to reset territorial boundaries.
For a full list of compatible and incompatible species tested against this fish’s parameters and temperament, see Afra Cichlid tank mates.
How do you tell male from female Afra Cichlids apart?
Sexual dimorphism in Cynotilapia afra is pronounced and visually obvious in adults. Males are vivid blue with bold dark vertical barring and distinct egg-spots (ocelli) on the anal fin; dominant males intensify colour during courtship and territory defence. Females are drab by comparison — pale grey-brown with faint barring and no egg-spots — making sexing adults straightforward. Juveniles of both sexes look similar, so buying a group of six or more improves the odds of a correct sex ratio without needing to identify individuals at point of sale.
How do Afra Cichlids breed?
Afra cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders. Spawning is triggered by good water quality, a slight temperature rise toward the upper range, and regular protein-rich feeding. The male courts the female with quivering displays; the pair spawns over flat rock, and the female immediately collects the eggs in her mouth. She holds them — and later the free-wriggling fry — for approximately three weeks without eating.
Holding females are often harassed by tank-mates and the dominant male. Dense rockwork or a separate holding tank reduces stress and improves fry survival. Release the female once fry are free-swimming and give her several days of feeding before returning her to the colony.
Fry accept crushed flake and fine powder food from the start. Raise them separately until they reach about 3–4 cm before reintroducing them to the main tank.
What diseases are common in Afra Cichlids?
The most significant health threat is Malawi bloat — a digestive condition causing a swollen abdomen, appetite loss and lethargy. Prevention centres on diet (avoid fatty or high-plant foods) and stable water quality.
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH), characterised by pitting around the head and lateral line, is linked to poor water quality and nutritional deficiencies; consistent water changes and a varied diet are the primary prevention.
Ich (white-spot) can appear when fish are chilled or newly imported. A quarantine tank for all new arrivals — held at correct temperature for two to four weeks — is the most effective preventive measure. Bacterial infections typically follow aggression injuries; address the underlying colony structure and space before reaching for medication.
Health note: medication dosing and disease diagnosis are beyond the scope of a care profile. For sick fish, confirm symptoms against a reputable veterinary or fish-health source before treating, and always follow manufacturer guidelines on any product used.
How long do Afra Cichlids live?
A well-maintained Afra cichlid lives 5–8 years. The key variables are water quality, diet and aggression management — a chronically stressed fish rarely reaches its potential. A colony in correctly parameterised water with adequate space, the right sex ratio and a nutritious diet regularly delivers the full 7–8 year range, giving keepers ample time to appreciate both the vivid colouration and the colony’s complex social dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
Can Afra cichlids live with other mbuna?
Yes, but choose species of similar size and aggression level and avoid other blue-barred mbuna that look too similar to Cynotilapia afra — males may treat them as rivals. Overstocking slightly (60–80 % of normal capacity) and rearranging rocks before introducing new fish both reduce territory disputes.
What do Afra cichlids eat in captivity?
High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes suited to carnivorous mbuna, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and mysis shrimp. Avoid beef heart and high-fat foods; many mbuna are prone to Malawi bloat from a fatty or plant-heavy diet.
What you need to keep a afra cichlid
The baseline is a heated, filtered 150 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a afra cichlid in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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