Acei cichlid fish are beautifully colored mbuna from the Eastern part of Lake Malawi Africa. These midsized cichlids are also commonly referred to as yellow tail Acei or blue Acei cichlids. Pseudotropheus acei were originally described by Regan in 1922 as an herbivore which schools in groups of 30 to 50 individuals while feeding.

 

Let’s face it mbuna cichlid fish are striking and colorful and Acei cichlids are just that. Their coloring varies from deep blue and violet. Their fins are bright yellow hence the name yellow tail not to be confused with sushi! There are some variations of Pseudotropheus acei which are P. acei (Msuli) the common type and the white-tail variety called P. acei (Ngara).

 

 

 

 

These mbuna are omnivorous in nature which is no surprise and they fancy algae and plants in their diet. Their bicuspid teeth allow them to effortlessly remove algae from submerged logs and roots. Blue acei cichlids prefer the shoreline where it’s sandy and rock filled with sunken logs which they are known to harvest algae from.

 

Acei cichlid food in the aquarium should consist a herbivore or plant based diet and Hikari makes the best cichlid pellets. There are two types of cichlid pellets, floating and sinking. The sinking pellets seem to be the choice favored by acei cichlids and hobbyists. Algae wafers will be eagerly welcomed and flake food adds some variety to the diet.

 

 

Acei cichlid breeding can be accomplished in typical mbuna fashion. Provide a decent sized African cichlid community tank with lots of rocks, caves and driftwood. A good ratio of multiple females to one male, a good rule of thumb is one male to three females and more is always better. Blue Acei cichlids can reach a size near 7 inches so size is a consideration for tank mates and compatibility with other mbuna.

 

Pseudotropheus acei are mouth brooders which means that females hold their eggs in their mouths until the fry have absorbed their yoke sacs. Females scoop up eggs after the male fertilizes them during spawning. She can hold the eggs for up to three weeks and yield nearly 50 fry per spawning but this depends on the size of the female.

 

Acei have been noted to be susceptible to what’s called Malawi bloat. This disease is described as protozoans that multiple when fish are subjected to stress or from an improper diet. Essentially they will end up causing blockages in the intestines resulting in fish fatality. Care should be given to creating a balanced diet for these herbivores including pellets, flake food, freeze dried krill and shrimp designed for mbuna.