Haplochromis Pundamilia Crimson Tide Victoria 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 Crimson Tide cichlid (Pundamilia sp. 'crimson tide') is a Lake Victoria haplochromine whose males glow deep red to crimson along the flanks with black barring and yellow highlights. A compact, bullet-shaped rock dweller closely related to Pundamilia nyererei, it comes from rocky island shores in southern Lake Victoria. Suited to keepers of Rift Lake cichlids wanting a vivid centrepiece.
- Adult Size: Around 10 cm (4 in); males larger and far more colourful
- Lifespan: 6–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Southern Lake Victoria, East Africa
- Habitat: Rocky island shorelines in shallow water
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, leaning towards insects and zooplankton
- Preferred Foods: Cichlid pellets, spirulina flake, Artemia, Daphnia, mysis, bloodworm
- Feeding Habits: Small portions twice daily; include vegetable content, limit rich foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other Lake Victoria cichlids, robust Malawi mbuna, Synodontis catfish
- Avoid: Other Pundamilia species, small or timid fish, similar-coloured males
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Aggressive, especially males
- Territoriality: Highly territorial; attacks similar-coloured fish, worse when breeding
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Managing male aggression; needs rockwork, harems and stable hard water
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)
- pH: 7.2–8.5
- Hardness: 6–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 250 litres; one male with three or more females
Final Notes
A maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily; females carry eggs for about three weeks and adult males show five to ten egg spots while females stay grey-green. Juveniles are hard to sex, so buy a group and let a dominant male emerge. Provide dense rockwork and never mix with other Pundamilia to avoid hybrids. A mature male in full colour is one of the finest sights in a Victorian 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.