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(804) 347-2677
(804) 347-2677
CALL US NOW
(804) 347-2677
(804) 347-2677
Buy Aulonocara and Malawi at Vegas Valley Cichlids
Ornatus Thick Lip Cichlid (Possible ID: Ctenochromis species)
The Ornatus Thick Lip Cichlid is a rare and visually striking African cichlid known for its thickened lips, vibrant colors, and territorial nature. While exact taxonomy may vary due to trade naming, it's often associated with Lake Tanganyika or Lake Victoria species depending on the origin.
Physical Characteristics
-
Size: Up to 6 inches (15 cm) in captivity.
-
Coloration:
-
Males display metallic blues, greens, and reds depending on mood and maturity.
-
Females are more subdued in color.
-
-
Lips: Pronounced and thickened, used for scraping food from rocks in the wild.
Behavior and Temperament
-
Temperament:
-
Semi-aggressive to aggressive, especially during breeding.
-
-
Tank Behavior:
-
Territorial—males will claim rock structures or caves.
-
Better kept in species tanks or with similarly sized, robust African cichlids.
-
Aquarium Care
-
Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons, more if keeping a group.
-
Water Parameters:
-
Temp: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
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pH: 7.8–8.6
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Hardness: Moderate to hard
-
-
Decor: Rock piles, caves, and open swimming areas.
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Filtration: Strong filtration and regular water changes are essential.
Diet
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Omnivorous:
-
In the wild, feeds on algae, small invertebrates, and biofilm.
-
In captivity:
-
High-quality cichlid pellets
-
Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)
-
Vegetable matter (spirulina flakes or blanched greens)
-
-
Breeding
-
Maternal mouthbrooder (if aligned with typical African cichlid reproductive behavior).
-
Males display bright colors to court females and may become aggressive during spawning.
Ornatus Thick Lip Cichlid (Possible ID: Ctenochromis species)
The Ornatus Thick Lip Cichlid is a rare and visually striking African cichlid known for its thickened lips, vibrant colors, and territorial nature. While exact taxonomy may vary due to trade naming, it's often associated with Lake Tanganyika or Lake Victoria species depending on the origin.
Physical Characteristics
-
Size: Up to 6 inches (15 cm) in captivity.
-
Coloration:
-
Males display metallic blues, greens, and reds depending on mood and maturity.
-
Females are more subdued in color.
-
-
Lips: Pronounced and thickened, used for scraping food from rocks in the wild.
Behavior and Temperament
-
Temperament:
-
Semi-aggressive to aggressive, especially during breeding.
-
-
Tank Behavior:
-
Territorial—males will claim rock structures or caves.
-
Better kept in species tanks or with similarly sized, robust African cichlids.
-
Aquarium Care
-
Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons, more if keeping a group.
-
Water Parameters:
-
Temp: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
-
pH: 7.8–8.6
-
Hardness: Moderate to hard
-
-
Decor: Rock piles, caves, and open swimming areas.
-
Filtration: Strong filtration and regular water changes are essential.
Diet
-
Omnivorous:
-
In the wild, feeds on algae, small invertebrates, and biofilm.
-
In captivity:
-
High-quality cichlid pellets
-
Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)
-
Vegetable matter (spirulina flakes or blanched greens)
-
-
Breeding
-
Maternal mouthbrooder (if aligned with typical African cichlid reproductive behavior).
-
Males display bright colors to court females and may become aggressive during spawning.
Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water. This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.
Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)
|
Order Placed on: |
Ship Date: |
Arrival Date: UPS Overnight |
Arrival Date: Southwest |
|
Monday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
|
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Thursday |
|
Wednesday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
|
Thursday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Saturday |
|
Friday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Sunday |
|
Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Monday |
|
Sunday |
Tuesday |
Wed |
Tuesday |
Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.
Note: If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.
Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.
Southwest:
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.
Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water. This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.
Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)
|
Order Placed on: |
Ship Date: |
Arrival Date: UPS Overnight |
Arrival Date: Southwest |
|
Monday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
|
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Thursday |
|
Wednesday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
|
Thursday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Saturday |
|
Friday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Sunday |
|
Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Monday |
|
Sunday |
Tuesday |
Wed |
Tuesday |
Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.
Note: If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.
Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.
Southwest:
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.
Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.
VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.
25% DOA
We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish.
50% DOA
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.
75% DOA
We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.
Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.
VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.
25% DOA
We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish.
50% DOA
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.
75% DOA
We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.
$55 FLAT RATE FISH
OVER NIGHT SHIPPING
100% LIVE
ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
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