Species

Elongatus mbuna

Pseudotropheus elongatus

moderateaggressivebottom swimmerCichlidae
Add to my tank
Elongatus mbuna
Tank length
120 cmabout 4 ft (47 in)
Start with
1
Temperature
23–27 °C73–81 °F
pH
7.6–9
Adult size
11 cm4 in
Lifespan
6–10 yrs

Males are relentless with their own kind; keep one male with several females in a long, rock-filled tank.Males are relentless with their own kind; keep one male with several females in a long, rock-filled tank.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature23–27AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
pH7.6–9AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
Hardness (dGH)10–30AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
OriginLake Malawi, Africacurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care levelmoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activityactivecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentaggressivecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Nips finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Long finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
TerritorialYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lives in groupsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum group1curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Dietomnivorecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lifespan (years)6–10curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Months to adult size12curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum tank length120curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence