Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Venustus Cichlid
Nimbochromis venustus (Boulenger, 1908)
Also called Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid, Venustus Hap
From Endemic to Lake Malawi, East Africa, where it is found widely across the lake; juveniles live in shallow rocky areas and adults over deeper sand.123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Large, robust haplochromine
A big, deep-bodied cichlid covered in a giraffe-like patchwork of dark blotches on a yellow base.32
Personality what they are like
A patient, relaxed hunter that is peaceful toward larger companions; mature males become proud and colourful.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Spends long stretches resting still on the sand, then moves with a quick burst; it needs open swimming space as it grows.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Provide a fine sand base, open space and some rockwork; keep water clean with good filtration for a large fish.21
Home where they are happiest
At least 120 x 45 cm base (about 205 litres), 24 to 28 C, pH about 7.2 to 8.8 and 10 to 25 dGH.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A fish-eater in the wild; in the aquarium feed meaty seafood such as prawns, lancefish and whitebait, without mammal meat.21
Company who they like around
Can live as a single specimen or as one male with three to six females, alongside large Malawi haps and other big Rift Lake cichlids.2
The story where it all began
George Boulenger described the species in 1908. It was moved between Haplochromis and Cyrtocara before being placed in Nimbochromis, the 'cloud cichlids' named for their blotchy pattern.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Half-grown fish partly bury themselves in sand and wait motionless for small fish to swim close.1
- 2
Its local name is reported to mean 'sleeper', after its habit of lying still.2
- 3
Its blotchy pattern earned it the common name giraffe hap.3
- 4
A female can carry up to about 120 eggs in her mouth for roughly three weeks.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 20 June 2018)1
- Taxonomy
- Described by Boulenger in 1908; previously placed in Haplochromis and Cyrtocara3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Venustus 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
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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 species summary: Nimbochromis venustus fishbase.seused for distribution, size, water parameters, diet, IUCN status, taxonomy
- Seriously Fish: Nimbochromis venustus seriouslyfish.comused for aquarium care, tank size, behaviour, diet, colours, breeding
- Wikipedia: Nimbochromis venustus 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.