Fairy cichlid

The fairy cichlid, widely known as the Princess of Burundi, is a small cichlid of the family Cichlidae, endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It has a graceful fawn-colored body with lyre-shaped fins tipped in white and blue, and iridescent facial markings. It is relatively peaceful for a cichlid but becomes territorial when breeding, forming strong pairs. It is known for cooperative colony behavior, in which older offspring help defend and tend younger broods around a rocky territory. A tank with piled rockwork, caves, and hard alkaline water reflecting Rift Lake conditions suits it. It accepts quality cichlid foods, frozen invertebrates, and flakes. It is a substrate-spawning cave breeder that reproduces readily, and colonies can become large, so tankmates should be chosen with its territoriality in mind.