Venustus Cichlid / Giraffe Cichlid

This is one of the best Cichlids that make a beautiful centerpiece in your aquariums. It is also called Nimbochromis Venustus. They flaunt beautiful yellow and black hues that resemble the patterns of a giraffe, thus also called a giraffe cichlid.

Venustus Cichlid was long ago called Haplochromis Venustus and commonly addressed as giraffe hap. This is a freshwater fish that hails from Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River of Lake Malawi.

This Haplochromine species was a member of an ancient African tribe of fish.

II. You would love the fish because…

Commonly called Venustus Hap, Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid, and Kalingo. They are considered very intelligent fish as they use a unique hunting technique called “thanatosis”.

They submerge themselves in the sand and stay still waiting for the smaller fish to swim by, some curious tiny fish swim closer to get a better look and this is when the Venustus Hap will snap out of the sand and attack its prey.

These pretty fish come in vivid patterns and unique color combinations. Even in the juvenile stage, these creatures look absolutely stunning, they have a silver body with dark spots and a yellow line that runs along the belly, anal fin, and half of their tail. As the fish grows the yellow color gets darker and more beautiful. The males look flamboyant and the females make a lovely pick for your tanks.

If you are a cichlid lover you should know that all cichlids have a set of teeth in their throat in Venustus Haps these are well-developed.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

Venustus cichlids are very aggressive fish.

IV. Species compatibility

Frontosa, Dimidiochromis compressiceps, larger mbuna and other large Rift Lake species.

V. How to feed this species?

This species can be fed prawns, lancefish, whitebait, earthworms, bloodworms, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, minnows, krill, mosquito larvae, cockle, and mussel meat.