Venustus male

The Venustus (Nimbochromis venustus), known as the giraffe cichlid, is a Lake Malawi hap famous for its brown blotches over a yellow base, like a giraffe. As it matures, the male develops an intense blue face and a golden body.

Important before buying: it is a large predator. Adults reach about 25 cm and in the lake they hunt small fish by lying still on the sand as if dead until prey comes close. It needs a large tank, 400 liters or more, and should not be kept with fish that fit in its mouth.

It does well with other large haps and peacocks of similar size. Food: quality pellets for carnivorous cichlids, with krill or mysis. Ours are large juveniles already sexed, still well short of adult size, males and females, ideal for a pair or a group.