Pseudotropheus Demasoni 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 Demasoni is a tiny mbuna, now placed in the genus Chindongo, striped in vivid dark blue and pale blue bars; unusually, both sexes are equally colourful. It comes only from Pombo Rocks in the Tanzanian part of Lake Malawi. Despite its small size it is feisty, so it suits experienced mbuna keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 8 cm (3 in); males slightly larger
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi, Pombo Rocks, Tanzania
- Habitat: Rocky reef with clear, alkaline water
Feeding
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Preferred Foods: Spirulina flakes, blanched spinach, peas, algae-based pellets, daphnia
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds twice daily; no rich or meaty foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Yellow Labidochromis, other robust mbuna without bars
- Avoid: Barred blue mbuna, peaceful fish, keeping fewer than twelve
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Aggressive for its size
- Territoriality: Very high towards its own kind
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
- Challenges: Intense conspecific aggression; very prone to bloat
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 7.5–8.5
- Hardness: 10–18 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres for a group of twelve or more
Final Notes
Keep demasoni in a large group of twelve or more so no single fish is bullied to death; small groups fail. Pack the tank with rock caves and sand. Feed a green diet only, as protein-rich foods cause Malawi bloat. Sexing is hard since both sexes are barred; venting is the reliable method. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. Managed well, a group is a dazzling blue spectacle.
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.