{"product_id":"african-butterfly-thomass-cichlid-anomalochromis-thomasi-5cm","title":"African Butterfly Thomas's Cichlid Anomalochromis Thomasi - 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe African Butterfly Cichlid is a small, peaceful West African dwarf cichlid that shimmers with iridescent blue and gold spangling, a dark lateral spot and red-edged fins once settled. Shy at first, it becomes bold and interactive, and pairs make devoted parents. From forest streams of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, it suits planted community tanks and first-time cichlid keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 8 cm (3 in); males larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–7 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, West Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shaded forest streams, tannin-stained with leaf litter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Quality micro pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, spirulina flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small feeds once or twice daily; varied live and frozen improves colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, Apistogramma, peaceful gouramis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Large or boisterous cichlids; fin nippers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful and rather shy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Mild; only defensive around a spawning site\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Dull juvenile colour; needs cover and calm tank mates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 23–27°C (73–81°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 5.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 1–15 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 70 litres for a pair or small group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles look plain, so buy a small group and let a pair form naturally; the adult colour is well worth the wait. An easy substrate spawner, both parents guard the eggs and fry, and it does not dig up plants. Provide dim lighting, driftwood and leaf litter for a natural West African feel. Males grow larger with fainter black markings. A hidden gem among dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64946724274553,"sku":"STF-MISSING-39","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/African-Butterfly-Thomass-Cichlid.png?v=1792492931","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/african-butterfly-thomass-cichlid-anomalochromis-thomasi-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}