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Contents
Overview
The princess cichlid, also sold as the fairy cichlid or princess of Burundi, is a small cichlid from Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, where it lives in large colonies among the rocks. It has a slender, sandy-pink body, bluish highlights around the eye and elegant lyre-shaped fins edged in white.
Its real appeal is its family life. Young from earlier spawns stay with their parents and help guard their younger siblings, a cooperative breeding system that is rare among fish and fascinating to watch. It is a great first African cichlid for hobbyists who have outgrown a community tank and want a rocky biotope, as long as they accept that a pair will eventually turn into a territorial colony.
Care and tank setup
A pair needs at least a 40-gallon (150-litre) tank with a generous footprint; as the colony grows you will need more room or a plan for the juveniles. Keep the water hard, alkaline and very clean, with weekly changes of 20-30%. A fully cycled tank, good filtration and a heater are essential.
- Aquascape: stable rock piles placed on the glass before the sand goes in, packed with crevices and caves, plus fine sand.
- Plants: it rarely eats them; anubias, vallisneria and Java fern tied to rocks handle hard water well.
- Tankmates: other similar-sized Tanganyikans such as julidochromis or cyprichromis in larger tanks. Avoid small soft-water fish and shrimp.
The classic mistake is adding it to a community tank with tetras or corydoras. Once it spawns, it defends its cave fiercely and harasses anything that comes close.
Feeding
In the wild it picks small crustaceans and invertebrates from the rocks and open water. In the aquarium it readily takes a quality cichlid pellet; supplement several times a week with frozen brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops or bloodworms. Feed small portions once or twice a day and do not let leftovers foul the water.
Breeding
This is one of the easiest African cichlids to breed. The pair lays its eggs on the ceiling of a cave and guards eggs and wrigglers devotedly. The fry take baby brine shrimp almost immediately and grow up inside the colony, later helping their parents. Plan ahead for surplus juveniles so the tank does not become overcrowded.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Princess cichlid. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Molly Poecilia sphenops 26 gal (100 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Yellow lab cichlid Labidochromis caeruleus 53 gal (200 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna 40 gal (150 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) Copadichromis borleyi 106 gal (400 L) · 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) 
Electric blue hap Sciaenochromis fryeri 106 gal (400 L) · 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) 
Synodontis petricola Synodontis petricola 53 gal (200 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Peacock cichlid (Aulonocara) Aulonocara jacobfreibergi 79 gal (300 L) · 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) 
Multifasciatus (shell dweller) Neolamprologus multifasciatus 16 gal (60 L) · 75–81 °F (24–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Princess cichlid, and why.
- Bristlenose pleco: incompatible pH
- Cherry barb: incompatible pH
- Tiger barb: incompatible pH
- Betta fish: incompatible pH
- Panda cory: incompatible pH
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness
- Angelfish: incompatible pH
- Dwarf gourami: incompatible pH
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Princess cichlid healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Princess cichlid need?
At least about 150 liters for a group of at least 2 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Princess cichlid need?
Between 23 and 27 °C, with a pH of 7.8 to 9.
What fish can live with the Princess cichlid?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Molly, Yellow lab cichlid, Sailfin molly, Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) and Electric blue hap. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Princess cichlid be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
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