Malawi Eye Biter for Freshwater Aquariums

A Predatory Fish not Recommended for Community Tanks

Aug 25, 2009

The Malawi Eye Biter, also known as a Dimidiochromis Compressiceps, has a large mouth which is used to catch its prey. Caution must be exercised when selecting tank mates

The Malawi Eye Biter is native to Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s Great Rift Lakes. In its natural habitat, this fish hides in plants, known as Vallisneria, which are close to shore. It quietly waits for prey and suddenly emerges on an unsuspecting fish. Its compressed body allows this fish to move and turn very quickly, which makes it a superior hunter.

Traits of the Malawi Eye Biter

The Eye Biters has an elongated body and triangular-shaped head. Its large mouth takes up one-third of its body. The coloring of the male ranges from metallic blue to silver. The anal fin can be dark blue or bright orange with blue spots. The elongated dorsal fin ranges from blue to spotted orange with red edges. The scales have a tinge of orange on the edges. The female and juvenile Malawi Eye Biter do not have the bright colors like the male and are grey in color.

Freshwater Aquarium Requirements for the Malawi Eye Biter

The length of an adult Eye Biter is ten to twelve inches so if keeping one in a freshwater aquarium, a large tank is required. For adult fish, a minimum of a 90-gallon aquarium should be used.

The Malawi Eye Biter requires clean water so a 25% water change must be done weekly.

The Eye Biter likes to hide in vegetation and wait for its prey. To replicate its natural habitat, the aquarium should be heavily planted in the sides and corners. It’s preferable to plant Vallisneria, though other live plants and plastic plants may be used. The substrate should be coral sand in order to maintain the proper water conditions.

Caves made out of rock should be built in order to provide additional hiding places and to reduce aggression. In addition, the Malawi Eye Biter needs some open swimming spaces.

Although the Eye Biter is a predator, it is also a peaceful fish but does not always do well in a community tank. If selecting tank mates, it can be combined with other African cichlids, such as Peacocks, Haplachromis and Placidochromis.

All fish housed in the aquarium must be of equal length or longer than the Malawi Eye Biter. It will eat any fish that is smaller. In a community tank, it is highly recommended to have one male and several females. If more than one male is put into the tank, the males will fight until one remains alive.

The Malawi Eye Biter will eat flake food, pellets, freeze dried foods, live foods like white worms, blood worms feeders without much coaching. It will also eat beef heart, chicken, fish and hamburger and vegetables. It is very important to include vegetable matter in its diet; otherwise, it can develop a disease called Malawi Bloat.

Breeding the Malawi Eye Biter

The Eye Biter is a mouth brooder cichlid which means the female holds the eggs for four weeks in her mouth until they hatch and holds the fry at intervals shortly after the hatching. The fry should be moved to a separate aquarium as soon as possible because the parents will eat their young. They can be fed mosquito larvae, ground up flake food or newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

The Malawi Eye Biter is popular due to its beautiful colors but if it doesn’t like its tank mates, it can be disastrous.

The copyright of the article Malawi Eye Biter for Freshwater Aquariums in Aquariums is owned by Douglas DuHamel. Permission to republish Malawi Eye Biter for Freshwater Aquariums in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.