Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Rusty Cichlid

Iodotropheus sprengerae Oliver & Loiselle, 1972

Also called Lavender Mbuna, Lavender Cichlid, Rusty

SpeciesShort profile

From Endemic to Lake Malawi, East Africa: shallow rocky shores around Boadzulu, Chinyankwazi and Chinyamwezi Islands in the southeast arm.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Length10 to 10.8 cm1 2 3

Sizesmall

One of the calmest mbuna

Good choice for newer Malawi keepers

Unusual rust and lavender colouring

2 3

Looks how to spot one

Compact rock-dwelling mbuna

A medium-small mbuna in warm rusty brown, overlaid in mature males with a lavender-purple sheen.2

Coloursrusty brownlavender-purple sheen (mature males)2

Personality what they are like

Among the gentlest mbuna. It can live with peaceful Malawi species such as Aulonocara and yellow labs, and several males can often share a tank.3 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderately active; it browses rocks in shallow water and needs hiding spots to retreat to.3 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Hard, alkaline water with good filtration and regular partial water changes; give it plenty of caves so it is not crowded out by bolder fish.3 2

Home where they are happiest

Aquarium of at least about 90 x 30 cm (around 81 litres) for one male and females, larger for several males; rocks and caves, temperature 24-29 C, pH 7.5-8.8, hardness about 10-25 dGH.3 1 2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore; feed plenty of vegetable food such as spirulina flakes and blanched spinach, plus small live or frozen foods like brine shrimp.3 2

Company who they like around

Keep in a group with females, alongside other calm Malawi cichlids.3

The story where it all began

Described in 1972 by Oliver and Loiselle, it is named after Kappy Sprenger, a California aquarist whose interest in the fish showed it was an undescribed species.2 1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is often recommended as a first mbuna because it is so peaceful by mbuna standards.3
2
Females can mature at only about 4 cm.3
3
Females hold eggs and fry in their mouths for up to about three weeks.3
4
It comes from just a handful of small islands in the southeast of Lake Malawi.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 22 June 2018)1
Taxonomy: Described by Oliver & Loiselle in 19721

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

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

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month

Start a free diary

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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.

FishBase: Iodotropheus sprengerae fishbase.seused for taxonomy, size, temperature, distribution, IUCN
Wikipedia: Iodotropheus sprengerae en.wikipedia.orgused for names, colouring, temperament, history
Seriously Fish: Iodotropheus sprengerae seriouslyfish.comused for care, water, diet, behaviour, breeding

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