Here's a complete care guide for the Demasoni Cichlid (Pseudotropheus demasoni) — a striking, vividly colored dwarf mbuna from Lake Malawi that captivates aquarists with its vibrant stripes and intense energy.

🐟 Demasoni Cichlid Overview

📏 Size & Lifespan

🎨 Appearance

• Color: Deep blue to purple body with bold black vertical stripes

• Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females look very similar

  • Slightly more vibrant males

  • Males may develop slightly longer dorsal fins

• Eyes: Dark with contrasting coloration for intense expression

• Body: Compact, torpedo-shaped, muscular

🎯 Considered one of the most visually striking African cichlids despite its small size.

🔥 Temperament & Behavior

• Temperament: Highly aggressive and territorial (especially toward similar-looking fish)

• Behavior:

  • Very active and always on the move

  • Establishes and defends territory within rockwork

  • May harass less aggressive or similarly colored fish

  • Aggression increases during breeding or in tight spaces

⚠️ Aggressive but manageable with the right tank strategy.

🐠 Tank Requirements

🧱 Rocks and crevices are essential to reduce aggression and mimic natural habitat.

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Type: Herbivorous to omnivorous

• Best Foods:

  • Spirulina flakes

  • Vegetable-based cichlid pellets

  • Blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach, peas)

  • Occasional protein: daphnia, brine shrimp

❌ Avoid meaty or high-fat foods like bloodworms — can cause Malawi Bloat.

✅ Care Tips

• Keep in groups of 10+ to spread aggression

• Maintain 1 male to 4–5 females (if sex can be determined)

• Rearrange rocks periodically to reset territorial lines

• Perform weekly 30–40% water changes

• Use buffering substrates (crushed coral, aragonite) to stabilize pH

🐣 Breeding

• Reproductive Strategy: Maternal mouthbrooder

• Breeding Behavior:

  • Male courts female and leads to a flat rock

  • Female lays eggs and collects them in her mouth

  • Eggs incubate for 18–21 days

  • Fry are released and can be fed crushed flakes or baby brine shrimp

🐣 Demasoni breed readily in well-maintained setups, but separating fry may be needed to avoid predation.

🤝 Tankmate Compatibility

Best Kept With:

• Other Mbuna species (similar size and temperament)

• Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus)

• Rusty Cichlids (Iodotropheus sprengerae)

• Acei Cichlids (Pseudotropheus acei)

• Synodontis catfish

Avoid:

• Peacocks and Haps (less aggressive and may be bullied)

• Fish with similar color patterns (to reduce territorial attacks)

• Delicate or slow-moving fish

• Other Pseudotropheus demasoni males in small numbers (will fight)

🔁 Overstocking (with proper filtration) can diffuse aggression effectively.

⚠️ Common Health Issues

🧠 Fun Facts

• Named after Ad Konings’ friend Laurence Demason, who helped in collecting specimens.

• Despite being only 2.5–3", Demasoni cichlids often act as tank bosses in community setups.

• Their color pattern resembles marine fish, making them popular with reef tank fans.

🏁 Summary

The Demasoni Cichlid is a compact powerhouse — brilliantly colored, highly active, and full of personality. Ideal for experienced cichlid keepers, they thrive in rocky Lake Malawi-style aquariums with high pH, clean water, and well-thought-out tankmate choices.

IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.