Placidochromis Gissel Cichlid - (No Online Purchases)

Name: Placidochromis Gissel Cichlid

Scientific Name:Placidochromis sp. “phenochilus gissel”

Description: An attractive Lake Malawi cichlid with a streamlined body. Mature males develop metallic blue colouring with green highlights, while females and juveniles have a more subdued grey-blue appearance and darker head. Males can be strongly territorial towards their own species.

Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa, particularly the southeastern shoreline between Gome and Ntekete.

pH: Approximately 7.5–8.5

Temperature: Around 24–28°C

Adult Size: Approximately 15–20 cm; males generally grow larger than females.

Lifespan: Approximately 6–10 years with good care.

Food: Quality sinking cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and other small aquatic invertebrates. Provide a varied diet and avoid overfeeding.

Compatibility: Best with similarly sized, moderately peaceful Lake Malawi haps and peacocks. Avoid aggressive mbuna and small fish that could be swallowed. Males may be highly aggressive towards other Gissel cichlids, particularly when breeding. Keep more females than males and provide ample space.

Habitat: A spacious, established aquarium with fine sand, open swimming areas and scattered rocks providing shelter and visual barriers. Requires hard, alkaline water, strong filtration and good oxygenation. 

Best Tankmates:Other Placidochromis (like the Electra), Cyrtocara moorii (Blue Dolphins), and peaceful Copadichromis (Utaka).

Social Structure: Ideally kept in a harem (one male to 3+ females) to manage the male's breeding enthusiasm.