Photo: (c) Guillaume Delaitre, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist
Dolphin Cichlid (Krobia itanyi)
A sleek, moderately peaceful South American cichlid with subtle iridescence and a fascinating pair-bond — the understated alternative to the Ram.
Will it live with a Dolphin Cichlid?
We compare each fish against your dolphin cichlid on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Banjo Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °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.
- Bearded Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bristlenose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °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.
- Clown Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °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.
- Corydoras Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Discus✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 20 cm · Hard care · 28–31 °C (82–88 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 28–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Discus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Giant Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °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.
- Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Leopard Frog Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 25–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Marbled Hoplo✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Medusa Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 26–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Pantanal Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Pantanal Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Peppered Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Peppered Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Porthole Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Rubber Lip Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Snowball Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °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.
- Spotfin Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °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 Spotted Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Rubbernose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- 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.
- Striped Eel Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °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.
- Upside-down Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 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.
- Weather Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 25 cm · Easy care · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Zebra Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Hard care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °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.
- Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Blue Flash Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Blue Flash Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Calvus Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Different pH ranges (6.5–7.5 vs 7.8–9); 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.
- Clown Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keep Clown Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Denison Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 18–25 °C (64–77 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Denison Barb are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add denison barb in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Denison Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Electric Blue Acara⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 16 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Emperor Peacock Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Dolphin Cichlid 6.5–7.5 vs Emperor Peacock Cichlid 7.6–8.6) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Dolphin Cichlid and Emperor Peacock Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~210 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Eureka Red Peacock Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Different pH ranges (6.5–7.5 vs 7.8–8.6); 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.
- Firemouth Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 22–29 °C (72–84 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Firemouth Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Giant Glass Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Expect Dolphin Cichlid to harass Giant Glass Catfish at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Gold Zebra Loach⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 25–29 °C (77–84 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Green Phantom Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Moonlight Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Expect Dolphin Cichlid to harass Moonlight Gourami at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Rainbow Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Swordtail⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Water hardness preferences differ (Dolphin Cichlid 2–10 vs Swordtail 12–25 dGH).
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Yoyo Loach⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Yoyo Loach can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Dolphin Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (250 vs 15 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Dolphin Cichlid as food.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Dolphin Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- 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 15 cm Dolphin Cichlid whole.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Dolphin Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Dolphin Cichlid is bite-sized to a 120 cm predatory redtail catfish — it will be eaten.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Dolphin Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Dolphin Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Dolphin Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Dolphin Cichlid is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Dolphin Cichlid and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (72 vs 15 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Dolphin Cichlid as food.
- Your 208 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
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.
Dolphin Cichlid care specs
- Care level
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Max size
- 15 cm (5.9 in)
- Min tank size
- 208 L (55 gal)
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–10 dGH
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 2+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Marowijne (Maroni) River drainage, Suriname and French Guiana border
What is a Dolphin Cichlid?
The Dolphin Cichlid (Krobia itanyi) is a medium-sized South American cichlid from the blackwater river systems along the Suriname–French Guiana border. Its common name alludes to its streamlined, somewhat elongated profile relative to the rounder Acara-group cichlids, and its unhurried, gliding movement through the mid-water column. Adults reach up to 15 cm (6 in) and display an olive-green to tan body overlaid with blue-green iridescent scales that shift in colour under different angles of light, complemented by a faint, dark lateral stripe that sharpens when the fish is stressed or displaying.
In the aquarium hobby the Dolphin Cichlid sits at an appealing crossroads: larger and more interesting to observe than dwarf cichlids like rams or apistogrammas, yet smaller and more manageable than the forceful Central American species. It forms strong monogamous pair bonds, shows biparental brood care, and is genuinely rewarding for an intermediate keeper who wants personality and behaviour without a huge, specialised biotope setup. It is not a widely common species — it deserves far more attention than it typically receives.
Where does the Dolphin Cichlid come from in the wild?
Krobia itanyi originates from the Marowijne (Maroni) River drainage on the border of Suriname and French Guiana in northeastern South America. Its natural habitat consists of slow-moving or still, heavily shaded blackwater creeks and flooded forest margins where decaying leaf litter darkens the water and the substrate is typically fine sand with scattered root tangles and submerged wood.
Water in these environments is warm but not extreme — around 23–28 °C (73–82 °F) — and characteristically soft and slightly acidic, reflecting tannins leached from organic material. Flow is gentle, sunlight penetration is low, and the fish spend much of their time foraging close to the substrate or mid-column among submerged structure. Understanding this wild context directly informs how to house and feed the species successfully.
What tank size and setup does the Dolphin Cichlid need?
A bonded pair requires a minimum of 208 litres (55 US gallons), and a larger tank — 300 L (80 gal) or more — is strongly recommended if you plan to keep community tank-mates. The Dolphin Cichlid is a mid-water swimmer that also needs open swimming space alongside sheltered areas; a long-footprint tank suits it better than a tall one.
Substrate should be fine sand or smooth fine gravel — the species will occasionally sift the upper layer when foraging. Decorate with driftwood pieces, smooth flat rocks (potential spawning sites), and broad-leaved plants such as Amazon swords or Echinodorus species. Floating plants or dense planting at the back corners help diffuse light and create the subdued conditions the species prefers. Adding dried Indian almond leaves or a small amount of peat to the filter replicates the tannin-rich blackwater environment and can positively influence colour and comfort. Ensure robust filtration with gentle flow — the species does not appreciate strong, turbulent current.
What water parameters does the Dolphin Cichlid need?
- Temperature: 23–28 °C (73–82 °F). A stable heater is essential; the species tolerates the lower end of this range but thrives in the mid-range around 25–26 °C.
- pH: 6.5–7.5. Slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal; avoid alkaline conditions.
- Hardness: 2–10 dGH. Soft to moderately soft water reflects its blackwater origin. Hard, mineral-heavy tap water should be cut with RO or rainwater if hardness exceeds this range.
- Ammonia / Nitrite: 0 ppm — standard fully cycled tank requirement.
- Nitrate: Keep below 20–30 ppm with regular partial water changes.
Stability is as important as hitting exact numbers. Perform weekly water changes of 25–30% and avoid sudden parameter shifts, which can trigger stress, colour loss and increased territorial behaviour. The species is reasonably adaptable within its stated range but does not tolerate neglected, deteriorating water.
What do Dolphin Cichlids eat?
The Dolphin Cichlid is a carnivore in the wild, feeding on invertebrates, insect larvae and smaller organisms associated with the leaf litter and substrate. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet anchored by a quality cichlid pellet or sinking granule that provides complete nutrition. Supplement regularly with:
- Frozen or live bloodworms and tubifex (feed live sparingly and from reputable sources)
- Frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp
- Chopped earthworms — an excellent, protein-rich treat
- Occasional white mosquito larvae
Feed once or twice daily in amounts the fish consume within two to three minutes. Remove uneaten food promptly to protect water quality. The species is not overly aggressive at feeding time but can become bolder and more territorial when in spawning condition, so ensure all tank-mates have access to food.
How does the Dolphin Cichlid behave, and what are good tank mates?
The Dolphin Cichlid is rated semi-aggressive, which in practice means its behaviour sits well below that of aggressive cichlid species during normal periods but escalates significantly around breeding. Outside of spawning, a conditioned pair in a spacious tank can coexist with robust, similarly sized fish without persistent conflict.
Good community companions include large-bodied tetras (Buenos Aires tetras, Congo tetras), eartheater cichlids (Geophagus species that share similar water preferences), loricariid plecos as armoured bottom-dwellers, and larger peaceful catfish. Avoid anything small enough to be eaten — the Dolphin Cichlid will view small tetras, nano fish, or dwarf shrimp as potential prey. Also avoid overly aggressive cichlids that will harass the pair, and fin-nipping species.
When breeding is underway, the pair will claim and defend a territory actively and may redirect aggression toward any tank-mate that ventures too close to the spawn site. Having sufficient space and visual breaks (driftwood, plants) reduces conflict. For a full compatibility guide, see Dolphin Cichlid tank mates.
How do you tell male and female Dolphin Cichlids apart?
Sexual dimorphism in Krobia itanyi is moderate and becomes clearer as fish mature. Males grow noticeably larger — approaching the full 15 cm (6 in) maximum — and develop more intense blue-green iridescence across the flank. Their dorsal and anal fins are longer and taper to more pointed tips than those of females. In displaying or dominant males, the fin extensions and iridescent sheen are at their most vivid.
Females are smaller and more compact, with shorter, rounder finnage and somewhat less saturated colouration. During pre-spawning courtship and while guarding eggs, females often show heightened contrast in body markings. Venting (examining the genital papilla) is the definitive method but requires temporarily netting the fish and is only practical for experienced keepers. For most purposes, body size, fin shape and colour intensity provide reliable guidance in mature individuals.
How do Dolphin Cichlids breed?
Krobia itanyi is an open substrate spawner that forms a strong, stable pair bond — both parents participate actively in nest guarding and fry care. Spawning is typically triggered by stable, warm water, good conditioning on live or frozen foods, and the presence of a suitable flat spawning site such as a smooth flat rock, a large broad leaf, or a cleaned area of substrate.
The female deposits eggs on the chosen surface; the male fertilises them. Both parents fan the eggs and defend the territory vigorously. Eggs hatch within approximately two to three days at mid-range temperatures, and both parents continue guarding and moving the wrigglers until they become free-swimming — typically within another four to five days. At that point the fry can accept newly hatched brine shrimp and microworms.
The main challenge is managing aggression toward tank-mates during the breeding period. Many keepers prefer to move the pair to a dedicated breeding tank to protect both the spawn and the community fish. Breeding difficulty is rated medium — the pair bond forms and spawning occurs readily under good conditions, but raising fry successfully and managing the pair’s territorial behaviour require some experience.
What diseases commonly affect Dolphin Cichlids?
Like most cichlids, Krobia itanyi is susceptible to the standard freshwater disease spectrum when water quality slips:
- Ich (White Spot): Small white granules across the body and fins. Caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, almost always triggered by temperature drops or stress. Raise temperature gradually and maintain water quality at the first sign.
- Hole-in-the-Head (HITH): Pitting or erosions along the head and lateral line, associated with poor water quality, nutritional deficiencies and activated carbon overuse in some cases. Improve water change frequency and diet diversity.
- Fin rot: Ragged or receding fins, typically bacterial in origin and nearly always a water-quality problem. Consistent partial water changes and eliminating ammonia spikes are the primary prevention.
- Internal parasites: Wild-caught individuals may carry internal worms. Quarantine new fish and observe for hollow bellies or white stringy faeces before introducing them to an established tank.
Prevention follows the same principles across all of these: a fully cycled, stable tank, regular water changes, varied nutrition, and quarantining all new arrivals before mixing with established fish.
Health note: disease diagnosis and medication dosing are beyond the scope of a care profile. For a sick fish, confirm symptoms against a reputable veterinary or aquatic-health resource before treating. Incorrect medication can harm the fish and disrupt biological filtration.
How long does the Dolphin Cichlid live?
A well-maintained Dolphin Cichlid can live 5–8 years in the aquarium, with the upper end achievable under consistently good water quality, a varied diet and low chronic stress. As with most cichlids, lifespan is heavily influenced by husbandry: fish kept in stable, appropriate conditions and not subjected to repeated acute stressors or poor diet tend to age better. Given that the species is not yet widely common in the hobby, many specimens in the trade are wild-caught, so a quarantine period and initial health assessment are worthwhile investments in the fish’s long-term wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dolphin Cichlid safe in a community tank?
With care, yes. It is semi-aggressive mainly when breeding or guarding territory. In a 208 L+ tank with similarly sized, robust tank-mates — large tetras, eartheater cichlids, loricariid plecos — it typically coexists without serious conflict. Avoid small, fin-nipping fish and anything small enough to be eaten.
What water conditions does Krobia itanyi prefer?
It comes from slow, slightly acidic, soft blackwater creeks. Aim for pH 6.5–7.5 and low-to-moderate hardness (2–10 dGH), with temperature 23–28 °C. Soft, well-filtered water with some tannins mimics its natural habitat well.
What you need to keep a dolphin cichlid
The baseline is a heated, filtered 208 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 23–28 °C (73–82 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a dolphin cichlid in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — buying through these links costs you nothing extra.
