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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
Tangerine Tiger Cichlid
(Trematocranus sp. "Tangerine Tiger")
The Tangerine Tiger Cichlid is a stunning Haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known for its fiery orange coloration, black tiger-like vertical bars, and peaceful nature compared to more aggressive Malawi species. With its bold appearance and relatively calm temperament, it's a favorite for aquarists building colorful yet balanced African cichlid communities.
Origin and Habitat
-
Native Region:
-
Lake Malawi, East Africa
-
Found around Chidunga Rocks and other rocky-to-sandy transition zones
-
-
Habitat Type:
-
Inhabits shallow to mid-depth waters, often over sandy bottoms with scattered rocks
-
Forages near the lakebed for small invertebrates and detritus
-
Physical Characteristics
-
Size:
-
Males: 6–7 inches (15–18 cm)
-
Females: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)
-
-
Coloration:
-
Males: Intense tangerine-orange body with black vertical "tiger" stripes, and often red or yellow accents in the fins
-
Females: Silvery with faint markings, more muted but still elegant
-
-
Shape:
-
Robust, oval body with pronounced fins and slight forehead slope
-
Behavior and Temperament
-
Temperament:
-
Semi-aggressive, especially during breeding or when housed with other males
-
Generally more peaceful than Mbuna and large predator Haps
-
-
Social Behavior:
-
Best kept 1 male to 3+ females
-
Can cohabit with other Peacocks and Haps in a large tank
-
Aquarium Care
-
Minimum Tank Size:
-
75 gallons for a harem setup
-
Larger tanks recommended for community setups
-
-
Water Parameters:
-
Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
-
pH: 7.8–8.6
-
Hardness: Moderate to hard
-
-
Tank Setup:
-
Sandy substrate with rock piles and caves for hiding and breeding
-
Open swimming areas needed due to their active nature
-
Strong filtration and good oxygenation required
-
Diet and Feeding
-
Feeding Type: Omnivore
-
Recommended Diet:
-
High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes
-
Frozen/live foods: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, krill
-
Occasional vegetable matter: Spirulina flakes, blanched zucchini or peas
-
-
Feeding Schedule:
-
1–2 times daily, avoid overfeeding high-protein foods
-
Breeding
-
Reproductive Strategy:
-
Maternal mouthbrooder
-
Males build spawning areas and display to attract females
-
Females hold eggs in their mouths for 2–3 weeks
-
Fry are free-swimming after release and should be protected or raised separately
-
Compatible Tank Mates
-
Good Matches:
-
Other mild Haps and Peacocks
-
Synodontis catfish, Plecos, or other bottom dwellers
-
-
Avoid:
-
Mbuna cichlids (too aggressive and fast-paced)
-
Overly aggressive predator Haps like Aristochromis christyi
-
Is the Tangerine Tiger Right for You?
✅ Visually stunning and easy to recognize
✅ Peaceful temperament makes it perfect for Hap and Peacock communities
✅ Hardy and adaptable with basic Malawi tank setup
❌ Needs space to thrive and good water maintenance
❌ Not ideal for community tanks with very small or peaceful fish
The Tangerine Tiger Cichlid brings vibrant color and balance to any Lake Malawi aquarium. Its bold appearance and moderate behavior make it a top pick for hobbyists seeking both beauty and harmony in their African setup. 🐟🧡🖤
Tangerine Tiger Cichlid
(Trematocranus sp. "Tangerine Tiger")
The Tangerine Tiger Cichlid is a stunning Haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known for its fiery orange coloration, black tiger-like vertical bars, and peaceful nature compared to more aggressive Malawi species. With its bold appearance and relatively calm temperament, it's a favorite for aquarists building colorful yet balanced African cichlid communities.
Origin and Habitat
-
Native Region:
-
Lake Malawi, East Africa
-
Found around Chidunga Rocks and other rocky-to-sandy transition zones
-
-
Habitat Type:
-
Inhabits shallow to mid-depth waters, often over sandy bottoms with scattered rocks
-
Forages near the lakebed for small invertebrates and detritus
-
Physical Characteristics
-
Size:
-
Males: 6–7 inches (15–18 cm)
-
Females: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)
-
-
Coloration:
-
Males: Intense tangerine-orange body with black vertical "tiger" stripes, and often red or yellow accents in the fins
-
Females: Silvery with faint markings, more muted but still elegant
-
-
Shape:
-
Robust, oval body with pronounced fins and slight forehead slope
-
Behavior and Temperament
-
Temperament:
-
Semi-aggressive, especially during breeding or when housed with other males
-
Generally more peaceful than Mbuna and large predator Haps
-
-
Social Behavior:
-
Best kept 1 male to 3+ females
-
Can cohabit with other Peacocks and Haps in a large tank
-
Aquarium Care
-
Minimum Tank Size:
-
75 gallons for a harem setup
-
Larger tanks recommended for community setups
-
-
Water Parameters:
-
Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
-
pH: 7.8–8.6
-
Hardness: Moderate to hard
-
-
Tank Setup:
-
Sandy substrate with rock piles and caves for hiding and breeding
-
Open swimming areas needed due to their active nature
-
Strong filtration and good oxygenation required
-
Diet and Feeding
-
Feeding Type: Omnivore
-
Recommended Diet:
-
High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes
-
Frozen/live foods: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, krill
-
Occasional vegetable matter: Spirulina flakes, blanched zucchini or peas
-
-
Feeding Schedule:
-
1–2 times daily, avoid overfeeding high-protein foods
-
Breeding
-
Reproductive Strategy:
-
Maternal mouthbrooder
-
Males build spawning areas and display to attract females
-
Females hold eggs in their mouths for 2–3 weeks
-
Fry are free-swimming after release and should be protected or raised separately
-
Compatible Tank Mates
-
Good Matches:
-
Other mild Haps and Peacocks
-
Synodontis catfish, Plecos, or other bottom dwellers
-
-
Avoid:
-
Mbuna cichlids (too aggressive and fast-paced)
-
Overly aggressive predator Haps like Aristochromis christyi
-
Is the Tangerine Tiger Right for You?
✅ Visually stunning and easy to recognize
✅ Peaceful temperament makes it perfect for Hap and Peacock communities
✅ Hardy and adaptable with basic Malawi tank setup
❌ Needs space to thrive and good water maintenance
❌ Not ideal for community tanks with very small or peaceful fish
The Tangerine Tiger Cichlid brings vibrant color and balance to any Lake Malawi aquarium. Its bold appearance and moderate behavior make it a top pick for hobbyists seeking both beauty and harmony in their African setup. 🐟🧡🖤
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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