All fish / Cichlidae

Bigeye Rhamphochromis

Rhamphochromis macrophthalmus

Also known as rhamphochromis macrophthalmus, big-eye rhamphochromis, malawi barracuda, malawi pike cichlid

This is a slender, silvery open-water predator from Lake Malawi, with large eyes and a long, pointed mouth full of sharp teeth. Breeding males take on a bluish or dark sheen. Experienced cichlid keepers with very large tanks keep it because it is an unusual fast-swimming hunter.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or one male with several females in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: whole fish, prawns, krill, mussel and large pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Captive spawning is rare, mostly because few people have tanks big enough.

Good to know

It eats any fish small enough to swallow and needs a lot of open swimming room, as it is nervous and may jump or crash into the glass when startled. A tight lid is essential, and it is often mixed up with other Rhamphochromis species in the trade.