Species

Dhonti telmat

Telmatochromis dhonti

moderatesemi aggressivebottom swimmerCichlidae
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Dhonti telmat
Tank length
44 cm17 in
Start with
1
Temperature
25–27 °C77–81 °F
pH
7.6–9
Adult size
11 cm4 in
Lifespan
6–10 yrs

Males guard caves aggressively when breeding; keep one pair with ample rockwork among robust Tanganyikans.Males guard caves aggressively when breeding; keep one pair with ample rockwork among robust Tanganyikans.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature25–27AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence
pH7.6–9AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence
Hardness (dGH)10–30AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence
OriginLake Tanganyika, East Africacurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care levelmoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activitymoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentsemi aggressivecurated-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 size14curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence