fish · Cichlidae
African butterfly cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi
Wild range: Coastal rivers of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia — Konkouré (Guinea) south to the St. John (Liberia), including Lofa, Moa, Saint Paul, Sewa, and related forest-stream systems; often tea-stained, vegetated shallows (Africa)
At a glance: African butterfly cichlid care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for African butterfly cichlid?
The compiled profile lists 23.0–27.0 °C for African butterfly cichlid (Anomalochromis thomasi). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for African butterfly cichlid?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 20.0 US gallons (75.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for African butterfly cichlid?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 5.5–7.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Shallow forest streams and savannah-margin wetlands of coastal West Africa with overhanging vegetation, leaf litter, roots, and muddy or sandy bottoms; water often tannin-stained and soft to moderately soft, sometimes warming toward ~30°C in dry-season shallows (Seriously Fish, FishBase, AquaInfo, fishkeeper.co.uk).
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Anomalochromis thomasi (Boulenger, 1915) per trade/ITIS/FishBase and Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes (Current status Valid as Anomalochromis thomasi; original combination Paratilapia thomasi Boulenger 1915, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) 15; CoF spid 22427; FishBase SpecCode 8136; ITIS TSN 169990). Genus Anomalochromis Greenwood, 1985 is currently monotypic. Synonyms: Paratilapia thomasi, Haplochromis thomasi, Hemichromis thomasi, Pelmatochromis thomasi (also historically placed near Pelvicachromis in hobby literature — not the current valid combination). Trade names African butterfly cichlid / butterfly cichlid / dwarf jewel; do not confuse with the African butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi (Osteoglossiformes), a surface-dwelling freshwater hatchetfish. Colour forms (e.g. Guinea, Kilissi River) and Liberian populations may eventually be split (SF, tropicalfreshwaterfish). IUCN Least Concern (FishBase cites assessment 2019-12-31; Diallo & Lalèyè 2020).
Aquarium care
Peaceful West African dwarf cichlid and one of the better beginner dwarf-cichlid choices once settled (Seriously Fish, fishkeeper.co.uk). Plan ≥20 US gal (~75 L) with an ~80 cm footprint for a pair or small group (SF absolute ~72 L / 80×30 cm base; tropicalfreshwaterfish 20–25 gal; AquaInfo ≥80 cm length / prefers ~1 m — locked 20 gal practical pair/group floor). Soft sand or fine substrate, dense plants, driftwood, clay pots/caves, and flat rocks or broad leaves as spawn sites; gentle filtration (sponge filter adequate); dim to moderate light. Soft to moderately soft, near-acid to near-neutral water 23–27°C, pH 5.5–7.5, GH ~5–12 (SF 23–27 / 5.5–7.5 / 1–15; FishBase wild 23–27 / pH 6–8 / dH 5–12; AquaInfo 23–28 / 6.0–7.5 / 5–8; fishkeeper 23–27 / 6.0–7.2 / ≤12; tropicalfreshwaterfish 24–27 / 6–7.8 / 4–15 — locked SF∩FishBase temp 23–27, SF pH 5.5–7.5 with AquaInfo/fishkeeper inside the band, and FishBase∩fishkeeper GH 5–12). Does not dig plants aggressively. Keep as a bonded pair or small group; remove surplus after pairing if needed.
Feeding
Omnivore — accepts quality cichlid pellets/flakes as staple plus regular live/frozen invertebrates (brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae, mysis) and some vegetable matter (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, fishkeeper.co.uk, tropicalfreshwaterfish). Feed modest portions 1–2× daily; variety improves condition and breeding readiness.
Compatibility
Very peaceful for a cichlid and community-safe with calm tankmates, but territorial when spawning and shy with vigorous species (Seriously Fish, fishkeeper). Good companions: small characins/African tetras, Corydoras, smaller anabantoids, Pelvicachromis / other West African dwarfs in larger tanks (SF, AquaInfo, tropicalfreshwaterfish). Avoid aggressive Rift-lake cichlids and fin-nippers. Distinct from Pantodon buchholzi (African butterfly fish). Not nano_ok at the 20 gal floor.
Breeding
Easy biparental substrate spawner; breeds in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline water (Seriously Fish). Condition a group of 6+ juveniles and allow a monogamous pair to form; raise temperature toward the upper band and offer cool water changes as a spawn trigger (fishkeeper). Pair cleans a flat rock or broad leaf (e.g. Echinodorus); female lays lines of eggs (up to ~500) fertilized by the male; hatch ~48–72 h; fry moved among substrate pits and free-swim after further ~3–4 days; first foods brine shrimp nauplii / microworm; parents guard ~1 month then may spawn again (SF, AquaInfo, fishkeeper, tropicalfreshwaterfish).
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.