HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsPseudotropheus crabro Pseudotropheus crabro Scientific name: Pseudotropheus crabro Ribbink & Lewis, 1982 Pseudotropheus crabro is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). It is easy to keep and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 24–29°C (75–84°F) and a pH of 7.5–8.8. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Pseudotropheus crabro care at a glanceCare levelEasyAdult size10 cm (3.9 in)Minimum tank115 L (30 US gal)Temperature24–29°C (75–84°F)pH7.5–8.8DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyOccurs in all kinds of habitats but if most frequently found in large caves or near large boulders. Feeds on anything that is available but is specialized in cleaning parasites from the catfish Bagrus meridionalis.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePseudotropheus crabroFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length9.4Depth range15–18 m (49–59 ft)EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2 demersal; depth range 15 - 18 mClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in Eccles Reef, West Reef, Chinyankwazi, Chiyamwezi, Maleri, Mbenji, Likoma and Chisumulu Islands, Nkata Bay.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More african cichlidsMelanochromis chipokaeGolden mbunaMelanochromis auratusMaylandia lombardoiLabidochromis chisumulaeJewelfishHemichromis bimaculatusBlue streak hapLabidochromis caeruleusSee 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