African Butterfly Cichlid

African Butterfly Cichlid (Anomalochromis thomasi)

The African Butterfly Cichlid is a beautifully patterned, peaceful dwarf cichlid native to West Africa. Despite being a cichlid, it is known for its gentle temperament and suitability for community aquariums. Its name comes from its delicate, butterfly-like fins and intricate coloration—featuring earthy tones with iridescent blue and green markings and subtle vertical barring. These cichlids enjoy a well-planted tank with hiding places and soft, slightly acidic water. They are a great choice for aquarists looking for a peaceful, colorful cichlid that stays relatively small.

Need to Know:

• Recommended For: Peaceful community or species-only tanks

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 litres

• Temperature Range: 24-28°C

• pH Range: 6.0-7.5

• Recommended School Size: Can be kept singly, in pairs, or small groups

• Compatibility: Peaceful; avoid aggressive or much larger tank mates

• Max Size: 7 cm

Shipping Disclaimer:

All fish are usually shipped on Monday or Tuesday mornings via an overnight courier. We use NZ Couriers for all livestock shipping, we find they handle your fish with the best possible care and have quick overnight delivery nationwide.

Special Requests:

If you have any requests for gender/colour etc we will do our best to accommodate them. Please note we can not always accommodate every request due to high stock turnover and what is available at the time. We move all fish sold online into separate holding tanks while they wait to be shipped.

Rural Shipping:

Good news! If you are a rural customer, we can still ship fish to you. Your order will be shipped to your nearest NZ Couriers Depot or Collect/Send Point and you will be phoned once it arrives. You can find your nearest depot/point here: https://nzcextras.co.nz/nearestlocation/