All fish / Cichlidae

Spilo

Champsochromis spilorhynchus

Also known as spilo, spilorhynchus, champsochromis spilo, spilo hap, trout cichlid, spilorynchus

A large, streamlined open-water predator from Lake Malawi with a silvery body, a row of dark blotches along the flanks and long, pointed fins. Mature males take on metallic blue with yellow tones, making it a striking centrepiece for big Malawi cichlid tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or as part of a large mixed Malawi community

Diet

Carnivore: pellets for large predatory cichlids, shrimp, mussel, krill and fish fillet

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Breeding is achievable in a very large tank once fish are mature, though the size of the adults makes it a project for dedicated keepers.

Good to know

Grows to 25 to 30 cm and will eat any fish small enough to swallow, so keep only with robust tankmates of similar size. It is a fast, nervous swimmer that needs a long tank with plenty of open space.