Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred
Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred
Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred
Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred
Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred

Ptychochromis grandidieri Cichlid – Locally Bred

Regular price$ 24.99
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  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Backordered, shipping soon

 Locally Bred in Indiana


For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.

Ptychochromis grandidieri is a rare and fascinating species native to the rivers and freshwater habitats of eastern Madagascar. We are proud to offer juveniles bred right here in Indiana by a dedicated local breeder. This is a true collector’s cichlid—an uncommon find that brings bold personality and impressive size to larger aquariums.

Juveniles currently available are still developing their mature coloration, which includes subtle iridescence, strong barring, and a commanding, robust body shape. As adults, these fish display complex behaviors and become striking centerpiece fish in semi-aggressive setups.


What We Love About This Fish:

• Locally bred in Indiana by a knowledgeable cichlid specialist
• Rare Malagasy species, seldom available in the aquarium trade
• Grows into a large, commanding fish with rich character
• Thrives in large tanks with structured aquascapes


Natural Habitat:

In the wild, Ptychochromis grandidieri inhabits lowland rivers and freshwater streams in eastern Madagascar. These environments are typically warm, slow to moderately flowing, and filled with branches, roots, and smooth stones. The species prefers neutral to slightly alkaline water with moderate hardness.


Aquascaping:

Plants: Use with caution—large cichlids may uproot delicate plants. Hardy epiphytes like Anubias or Java Fern on driftwood may be used.
Hardscape: Provide caves, large driftwood pieces, and open swimming space.
Botanicals: Add Indian almond leaves, pods, or alder cones to create a more natural look and enrich water conditions.


Diet and Feeding:

This species is omnivorous with a preference for protein-rich foods. Offer a mix of high-quality pellets, frozen foods (such as krill, bloodworms, or mysis), and occasional vegetable matter. An excellent staple is Ultra Fresh Royal Cichlid Premium Pellet – Shrimp Delight, which provides shrimp protein, natural color enhancers, and essential nutrients.


Tank Mates and Compatibility:

Best housed with similarly sized, semi-aggressive fish in a large tank. While they are generally less aggressive than African rift lake cichlids, they can be territorial—especially when breeding. Avoid small, delicate, or passive tankmates.


Shrimp Safe:

❌ No – Not recommended with shrimp or other small invertebrates.


Breeding:

A biparental substrate-spawning species. Males and females form pairs and defend a territory where eggs are laid and guarded. Breeding may occur in large aquariums with proper conditions and established pairs. These juveniles were bred from a local, proven pair in Indiana.


Recommended Tank Parameters:

Temperature: 75° - 80° F (24° - 27° C)
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
KH: 6 – 12 dKH
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons for a pair; 90+ gallons for community setups


Care Guidelines:

Diet: Omnivorous, with a focus on protein-rich prepared and frozen foods
Social Behavior: Semi-aggressive; pairs can be territorial
Origin: Locally bred in Indiana
Average Adult Size: 9 – 12 inches (23 – 30 cm)
Average Purchase Size: 2 – 3 inches (juvenile)


A Rare Gem from Madagascar:
Ptychochromis grandidieri is a unique and rewarding fish for serious aquarists. Its rarity, intelligence, and impressive size make it a standout addition to any large aquarium. Thanks to our trusted local breeder, you now have the opportunity to raise this exceptional species—available only from Aquatic Arts.


Live Arrival Guarantee:
All Aquatic Arts brand fish come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support.

For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air.  If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with  2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air. 

UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.

Shipping Schedule for this service

UPS 1 Day: Monday through Thursday
 

Current Handling Time:

1-9 business days

Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days. 

Shipping Rate

Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.

 

 

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