Fish
Demasoni Cichlid
Pseudotropheus demasoni
Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa — endemic to Pombo Rock (Ndumbi Reef) on the northwestern shore
Also known as: Demasoni, Chindongo demasoni, Pseudotropheus demasoni
Fact sheet
- Size
- 8 cm
- Lifespan
- 8 years
- Minimum tank size
- 150 L
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 7.8–8.5
- Hardness GH
- 10–20 °dH
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 12+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- Yes
Varieties
Overview
Demasoni (Chindongo demasoni) is a small but intensely aggressive mbuna cichlid from one of the most restricted natural ranges of any aquarium fish — a single rocky reef in Lake Malawi. Described by Konings in 1994 and originally placed in Pseudotropheus. Famous for its bold alternating dark-blue and light-blue vertical stripes. IUCN: Vulnerable due to limited range and collection pressure.
Appearance
Small fish reaching 7–8 cm. Elongated body. Signature pattern: alternating dark navy-blue and light powder-blue vertical bands extending across body and unpaired fins.
Care
Lake Malawi setup minimum 200 L. Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.8–8.5, GH 10+. Keep in groups of 12+ (1 male per 3–4 females) to distribute aggression. Never house with fish of similar coloration.
Feeding
Strict herbivore: algae, biofilm, spirulina-enriched foods, seaweed. Avoid high-protein foods — susceptible to Malawi bloat.
Compatibility
Highly aggressive intraspecifically. House with equally assertive mbuna of different colors. Avoid similarly striped species — cross-species aggression.
Breeding
Mouthbrooder. Female holds 10–15 eggs/fry in buccal cavity for ~21 days. Males relentlessly pursue females; dense rockwork critical.
Fun facts
IUCN Vulnerable. Natural range restricted to a few square kilometers of submerged rocky habitat — one of the world's most geographically restricted fish species. Collected intensively for the aquarium trade.