Dimidiochromis compressiceps a.k.a. Malawi Eye Biter

Family: Cichlidae
Range: Lake Malawi, Africa
Size: Up to 10 inches
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Set-up: Freshwater: Rocks, dense plants around perimeter, sand bottom
Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-15
Minimum Tank Capacity: 70 gallon
Light: Low
Temperament: Aggressive
Swimming Level: Middle to bottom
Care Level: Easy
Reproduction: Mouth Brooder

The 1st. 2 pics are mine, the 3rd. is a web picture.





D. compressiceps commonly known as the "Malawi Eye-Biter," is a large and impressive open-water predator. This fish is constantly on the prowl, and therefore is not territorial, unless preparing to spawn. In appearance, it is typically a whitish-silver with a single brown horizontal stripe on its side. Sexually mature males put on quite a display of colors: electric blue with fluorescent reds and oranges on their fins. It is a rather distinctive fish in that its jaw alone is approximately one-third its total body length. With this huge mouth, D. compressiceps females are able to brood 250 fry at a time! If you ever see one of these monsters open its mouth, you'll understand how it can brood that many.


For the aquarium, pellets, shrimp, krill, or mussells are recommended foods. They could also be fed feeder fish if the tank doesn't contain any Mbuna or other smaller-sized fishes, because the feeder fish could possibly make them more aggressive toward any smaller tank mates. You could alternatively feed them pieces of cod or smelt, although these are less nutritious than the mussels or shrimp.

anybody out there know of any other Malawi cichlid that can brood 250 fry??

I''m looking for 6 females. I already have 2 males.

liveFishDirect -has some 2 to 3" unsexed available..

cajun wrote:

liveFishDirect -has some 2 to 3" unsexed available..

I have to know what I'm getting. The ratio I want for a 75 gallon is 2 males and 6-7 females.
I already have the 2 males. So I can't take a chance on getting any other males. Plus they would have to be sub-adult or adult. They'll kill anything smaller.

Nitty...Dave from Davesfish.com dose not have any? I thought I sall these on his list one time. If not I could ask him if he can get them.

KMX wrote:

Nitty...Dave from Davesfish.com dose not have any? I thought I sall these on his list one time. If not I could ask him if he can get them.

I want 6 at least 6"-7"(muture size).

Expensive...I wish i had money to splurge on fish. Oh wait I do!, except on partying and laptops

philuponthepho wrote:

Expensive...I wish i had money to splurge on fish. Oh wait I do!, except on partying and laptops

I got my 2 males for $8ea at City Pets. They only sale males though.

oh thats cheap never mind. I was thinking $30. I bought some firemouth cichlids for $2.49!!LOL,

adults run around that price($30).

Imo a 75 is to small for a breeding group that size, your likely to have some of your females killed with 7-8 adult eye biters in a 4' 75g.