Furry Diary

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Blue Dolphin Cichlid

Cyrtocara moorii Boulenger, 1902

Also called Malawi Blue Dolphin, Hump-head Cichlid, Moorii, Haplochromis moorii

SpeciesShort profile

From Endemic to Lake Malawi, East Africa, found over sandy bottoms in fairly shallow water around the lake.123

At a glance the quick version

Length20 to 25 cm123
Sizemedium
Gentle nature
Beautiful even blue colour
Distinctive dolphin-like head
23

Looks how to spot one

Deep-bodied haplochromine with a nuchal hump

A rounded, sky-blue cichlid that grows a tall forehead hump, giving it a dolphin-like profile.32

Coloursturquoise to silvery blue3

Personality what they are like

Calm and friendly for a Malawi cichlid; it prefers peaceful companions and only gets assertive while spawning.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Cruises steadily in small groups over open sand and appreciates long swimming space.21

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A sandy floor, open water and a few rocks; steady, clean, hard water suits it best.21

Home where they are happiest

At least 150 x 38 cm base (about 257 litres), 24 to 29 C, pH about 7.2 to 8.8 and 10 to 25 dGH.213

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A micro-predator; offer live and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp alongside quality prepared foods.2

Company who they like around

Lives in small groups with two or three females per male; good tankmates are Frontosa and other large, peaceful haps.2

The story where it all began

George Boulenger described the species in 1902, and it was long known in the hobby as Haplochromis moorii. Its name honours the English biologist J. E. S. Moore, and it is now the only member of its genus.123

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    In the lake it follows sand-sifting cichlids and snaps up small animals they stir from the bottom.2

  2. 2

    Both males and females grow the tall forehead hump.2

  3. 3

    It is the only species in its genus, Cyrtocara.3

  4. 4

    Its fry are known for growing very slowly.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Vulnerable (assessed 23 May 2018)1
Taxonomy
Described by Boulenger in 1902; the only species in the genus Cyrtocara3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Blue Dolphin Cichlid. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. FishBase species summary: Cyrtocara moorii Boulenger, 1902 fishbase.seused for distribution, size, water parameters, diet, IUCN status, taxonomy
  2. Seriously Fish: Cyrtocara moorii Boulenger, 1902 seriouslyfish.comused for aquarium care, tank size, behaviour, diet, colours, breeding
  3. Wikipedia: Cyrtocara moorii Boulenger, 1902 en.wikipedia.orgused for common names, colours, history, fun facts (secondary)

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.