Moorii Cichlid
Common Names: Moorii Cichlid, Dolphin Cichlid, Hump-Head Cichlid
Scientific Name: Cyrtocara Moorii
Maximum Size: 9 inches
Life expectancy: 12 years
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F
pH Range: 7.8 - 8.5
Water hardness: dH 10 - 15
Temperament: Peaceful
Origin: Lake Malawi
Aquarium Setup:
Moorii Cichilds should have a sandy substrate to burrow in. Several rocks and caves should also be provided to give these timid fish a place to hide when they feel threatened.
Care should be taken when choosing rocks or tank accessories, avoid anything with sharp protruding edges. While they don’t eat plants, they will often uproot them.
Due to their large size, Dolphin’s need lots of open space for swimming. Water conditions aren’t crucial for survival, but for breeding the requirements should be maintained.
Diet:
Blue Moorii’s are carnivores that thrive on a diet rich in meaty foods. They will eat freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex or brine shrimp. They can also be fed Cichlid pellets and ocean plankton.
Tank Mates/Community:
Moorii Cichlid’s often do well with other peaceful fish of the same size range. Rift lake fish, peacocks, Utaka, Rostratus, Frontosas and Acei are also suitable tank mates.
Behavior:
Moorii’s are typically peaceful fish that get along well with others. However, like most fish they may become aggressive during breeding times. And, may show aggression towards smaller fish.
They are timid fish that will burrow in the sand, hide in caves or behind rocks when scared. While Moorii’s are territorial fish, they don’t vigorously defend their areas.
Color:
Moorii Cichlids can be found in varying shades of blues. Their colors can range from a powder blue, dark blue and a silvery blue to shades of turquoise. The vertical stripes of darker blues along their bodies gives them a unique look.
Breeding:
Tank ratio should be several female Moorii’s to each male. They will reach sexual maturity at around one year of age and will breed on a regular basis.
Breeding Blue Dolphins is more successful when they are the only species in the aquarium. Typical mouth breeders, the female will put her eggs in a nest or up against a flat stone for the male to fertilize.
Once fertilized the female will scoop all of the eggs up into her mouth where she keeps them until they hatch at about 3 weeks later. A young female may only produce about 20 young, but older females can produce up to 80 with each breeding.
Separating brooding females to another tank doesn’t work well. She will drop the eggs when she gets scared, she may pick them back up or she may not! The 1/4 inch fry should be fed a diet of brine shrimp.
During the brooding period, females will develop a different color pattern. She may exhibit areas that are mottled with some black. This may be a signal to the male that she is not available!
Interesting Notes:
Both males and females have a pronounced bump on the top of their heads that develops as they mature. This hump and their elongated snouts resembling a dolphin is how they got their name!
Young Moorii’s have a sort of chameleon characteristic! The dark spots along their sides will change colors depending on the mood they’re in!
