HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsFairy cichlid Fairy cichlid (Aulonocara jacobfreibergi) Scientific name: Aulonocara jacobfreibergi Johnson, 1974 The Fairy cichlid (Aulonocara jacobfreibergi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 15 cm (5.9 in). It is easy to keep, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 7.8–8.6. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Fairy cichlid care at a glanceCare levelEasyCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size15 cm (5.9 in)Minimum tank210 L (55 US gal)Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)pH7.8–8.6DietCarnivore BiologyNorthern populations occur in pure rocky habitats and in places with large boulders, while southern populations are found in intermediate habitats and males occupy small caves.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAulonocara jacobfreibergiFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Reported from Nkudzi, Monkey Bay, Nankumba, Domwe Islands, Otter Point in Lake Malawi.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec More african cichlidsAulonocara chizumuluAulonocara korneliaeAulonocara Fort MaguireAulonocara hansbaenschiBlue orchid aulonocaraAulonocara maylandi kandeensisGreenface aulonocaraAulonocara saulosiNkhomo-benga peacockAulonocara baenschiFlavescent peacockAulonocara stuartgrantiSee all african cichlids SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026