Venus Cichild - 4"

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Nimbochromis venustus
• Common Name: Venus Cichlid, Giraffe Hap
• Adult Size: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
• Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
• Habitat: Sandy-bottomed open waters and intermediate zones of Lake Malawi; often ambush predators in these regions

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons (375 liters) for adults
• Ideal Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• pH Range: 7.8–8.6
• Water Hardness: 10–20 dGH
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive to aggressive; territorial, especially males; should be kept with similarly sized or robust cichlids

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous: Yes (Carnivorous tendency)

  • In the wild, ambushes smaller fish (mimics being dead by lying still in the sand)
  • In captivity: high-quality carnivore pellets, occasional live/frozen foods (krill, shrimp, silversides), and spirulina to balance nutrition
  • Avoid feeding feeder fish to prevent disease

Appearance

• Golden-yellow base color with dark brown to black giraffe-like blotches
• Males exhibit more intense coloration and may develop a blue sheen on the face and body
• Large, muscular body with pronounced lips and elongated dorsal and anal fins

Distinctive Features

• Known for ambush predation behavior—lies motionless to lure curious prey
• Giraffe-like spotted pattern helps camouflage in sandy, rocky environments
• Mouthbrooding species—females carry eggs and fry in their mouths for protection
• One of the larger and more predatory species among Lake Malawi cichlids