Minimum 30litres for a pair. 40+litres is better to manage aggression.
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C).
pH: 6.5–7.5 (can adapt to slightly higher).
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water.
Excellent filtration is required. Perform regular water changes to control nitrates.
Use sand for digging, with plenty of rocks, caves, and driftwood for hiding and defining territories. Also use hardy plants like Anubias and Java Fern are all recommended, as they may dig up more delicate species.
They thrive on a mix of high-quality cichlid pellets, flakes, frozen food, and live foods (brine shrimp, krill).
Aggression: Very high, particularly when pairing off to breed. Known to be aggressive.
Tank Mates: Best kept as a single, bonded pair (species-only). Can be housed with robust, fast-swimming fish or armoured catfish in larger tanks.