Emperor Cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis)

Description

The largest growing of all African cichlids, the Emperor or Giant Cichlid is native to Lake Tanganyika, where it is typically found in deeper waters up to 200 feet deep. In the wild, juvenile fish are omnivorous like most rift lake cichlids but as they grow they become more predatory. In the aquarium, they are relatively hardy and easy to care for but given their enormous adult size are suitable only for the largest aquariums or indoor ponds. Larger fish are territorial and aggressive like most rift lake cichlids, and if a pair forms they will defend an extremely large territory against any tankmates.