Acei Cichlid

About

Found grazing along driftwood and rocky shallows in Lake Malawi, this acei cichlid, Pseudotropheus acei, is one of the more approachable mbuna for keepers just getting into the African cichlid hobby. It has the solid, muscular build typical of the group, and wild fish tend to sport a blue-violet body with yellow-tipped fins. A combination that reads well against a sandy substrate and rocky hardscape. In the lake it browses primarily on algae growing over submerged wood and rock, so a plant-based diet is important in captivity; spirulina flakes and quality veggie pellets should form the backbone of its meals. Temperament is firmly in mbuna territory. Expect chasing, territory disputes, and the general chaos that comes with keeping these fish. It is not a candidate for a mixed community tank, and tank mates should be chosen from similarly sized and similarly spirited African cichlid species. That said, compared to some of the more combative mbuna, acei is considered manageable enough for someone new to the group as long as the tank gives fish room to establish their own space. A good introduction to a fascinating but demanding corner of the hobby.