Demasoni cichlids are a dwarf species of mbuna from Lake Malawi, in Tanzania Africa. These beautifully colored African cichlids are endemic to two small reefs known as Pombo and Ndumbi reefs or rocks. Demasoni were first described by whom other than Ad Konings in 1994. Males are colored in dark bluish black vertical strips with alternating whitish blue vertical strips. Their dorsal fins are covering with a white strip across the top. Males also display eggs spots on their anal fins which are not present in females who are less brightly colored. Simply a stunning and active small sized Malawi cichlid.

 

Pseudotropheus demasoni should be housed in an aquarium of at least 55 gallons and it should be filled with rocks and driftwood which is consistent with any true mbuna community tank. The rocks will serve as caves for hiding places and also provide for spawning to occur. With mbuna community tanks bigger is better so if you have the space and budget go larger aquarium. Like typically mbuna males require adequate areas to establish their territories.

 

 

It has been noted that this species should be kept in groups with a minimum ratio of one male to several females but more would be better preferably a dozen. Just be mindful of the ratio of males to females. As with other mouth brooding African cichlids, the Demasoni cichlid is a typical mouth breeder, eggs are deposited on a substrate surface, the male fertilizes the eggs. Afterwards the female scoops them up in her mouth and hold them for up to three weeks, fry will emerge free swimming. The quantity of fry can range from 6 to 20 fry per spawn.

 

Pseudotropheus demasoni care and maintenance is relatively easy for the beginner. This makes for a great African cichlid to work with and an awesome community tank fish. These dwarf mbuna are herbivores, and in the wild they feed on aufwuchs, so their diet in the aquarium should include spirulina which is essential. Algae pellets or wafers will be welcomed as well as freeze dried krill or shrimp and other cichlid pellets formulated for African cichlids. These fish are marked as vulnerable according to the IUCN redlist due to their restrictive range so this is a cichlid worth keeping for its beautify and to help the hobby preserve these little treasures.