Haplochromis Albino Moorii Blue Dolphin Malawi African Cichlid
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Albino Blue Dolphin is a pale, pink-eyed form of Cyrtocara moorii, a deep-bodied Malawi hap whose adults develop the distinctive rounded forehead hump that gives the species its dolphin name. Endemic to Lake Malawi, it patrols shallow sandy shorelines in groups. A slow-growing gentle giant, it suits patient keepers with a large, peaceful hap community.
- Adult Size: Around 20 cm (8 in), occasionally up to 25 cm (10 in)
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi, East Africa
- Habitat: Shallow open water over sandy substrates
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous micro-predator
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, krill, chopped prawn, quality cichlid pellets
- Feeding Habits: Twice daily; live and frozen foods should make up most of the diet; feed sparingly to avoid bloat
Tank Mates
- Best with: Large peaceful haps, peacocks, Frontosa, Synodontis catfish
- Avoid: Mbuna, boisterous species, fish small enough to be swallowed
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful for a large cichlid
- Territoriality: Low; males become pushy only when spawning, so plenty of cover helps
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Slow growth, large adult size, easily bullied by rowdier cichlids; albinos are light-sensitive; stable, well-filtered water is essential
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 25–29°C (77–84°F)
- pH: 7.5–8.8
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres with a 150 cm long footprint for a group
Final Notes
Blue Dolphins are a shoaling species and do best in a group of six or more, growing slowly over several years and needing a long tank with sand and open space to swim. They are polygamous maternal mouthbrooders that are hard to sex until mature, when males grow larger with a bigger hump. Albino fish appreciate subdued lighting. A calm, characterful centrepiece for a Malawi tank.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.