All fish / Cichlidae

Red Top Williamsi

Pseudotropheus williamsi

Also known as red top williamsi, williamsi, pseudotropheus williamsi red top, williams' mbuna, psuedotropheus williamsi, red top williamsii, williamsi mbuna, 威廉斯慈鲷

This is a rock-dwelling Malawi cichlid. Males have a bluish body with darker bars and an orange to red top along the dorsal fin, and females are duller. People keep it because it is tough and colourful, and it does well in a lively rocky mbuna tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females in a crowded mbuna community

Diet

Omnivore: mostly algae and plant-based flake or pellets, with small amounts of spirulina, brine shrimp and mysis

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a well-kept tank with several females to each male.

Good to know

Males are territorial and can be rough with fish that look similar, so give it plenty of rockwork and avoid mixing it with close relatives, which can lead to hybrids. Too much protein in the diet can cause bloat.