{"title":"African Cichlids","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the vibrant world of African cichlids — some of the most colorful and behaviorally fascinating fish in the hobby. Our collection focuses on cichlids from the Great Rift Lakes of East Africa, including Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria, as well as rare and unusual species from Madagascar and West Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese fish are prized by hobbyists for their brilliant coloration, unique breeding behaviors, and strong personalities. Whether you're looking for mouth-brooding Haplochromines, aggressive Mbuna rockdwellers, or rare gems from off the beaten path, you'll find something special here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll fish are shipped with care and a live arrival guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"paretroplus-kieneri-calico-damba-madagascar-cichlid","title":"Paretroplus kieneri — Calico Damba (Madagascar Cichlid) — 2\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe Calico Damba is one of the rarest and most fascinating cichlids available in the hobby today. Endemic to Madagascar and critically endangered in the wild, \u003cem\u003eParetroplus kieneri\u003c\/em\u003e is a true collector's fish — distinctive, intelligent, and unlike anything else you'll keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eIts mottled calico patterning is immediately eye-catching, with irregular blotches of dark and light that shift with age, mood, and condition. No two fish look exactly alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48530159403200,"sku":"JE-MDG-001","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"tropheops-macrophthalmus-red-top-albino","title":"Tropheops macrophthalmus Red Top Albino — 1\"–1.5\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eTropheops macrophthalmus Red Top Albino is a stunning Lake Malawi cichlid prized for its warm golden-orange body and vivid red eye — a color combination that stands out in any African cichlid setup. These are selectively bred albino individuals, currently available at 1\" to 1.5\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eWe recommend keeping a minimum group of 6 to distribute aggression and bring out natural schooling and spawning behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48531524976832,"sku":"JE-MBU-001","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/4099\/2960\/files\/Tropheops_macrophthalmus_albino_2.0_2.0_-_Benny_Hopp_44b04978-4c67-47ec-92e9-bce13dc38b2a.jpg?v=1788960200"},{"product_id":"protomelas-sp-spilonotus-tanzania","title":"Protomelas sp. \"Spilonotus Tanzania\" (Insignis Hap) — 1\"–1.5\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the \u003cstrong\u003eTanzania\u003c\/strong\u003e variant — the one people actually want. Known in the hobby as the Insignis Hap, \u003cem\u003eProtomelas\u003c\/em\u003e sp. \"Spilonotus Tanzania\" comes from the Tanzanian coastline of Lake Malawi, and it is a noticeably better fish than the plain spilonotus you'll find sold under the same genus. Mature males carry a deep metallic blue body broken by brilliant yellow-orange across the head and dorsal, and they get big — eight to ten inches in a mature male.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are young fish at \u003cstrong\u003e1\"–1.5\", unsexed\u003c\/strong\u003e. Be clear with yourself about what that means: at this size there's no colour yet and no way to tell males from females. That's normal for the grade, it's why they're priced where they are, and it's why most people buy a group and grow them on. Males start showing somewhere past three inches, and the full colour takes a while longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA relatively peaceful hap by Malawi standards — it does well in a mixed haplochromine setup with other non-aggressive species. Given the adult size, plan on a four-foot tank or larger for the long term, with hard alkaline water and plenty of open swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery fish is quarantined and observed before it leaves us.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532215922880,"sku":"JE-HAP-001","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/4099\/2960\/files\/Protomelas_Spinolotus_2.0_2.0_-_Benny_Hopp_80650988-9f57-4c5e-bf2d-00a13d6488e9.jpg?v=1788960201"},{"product_id":"placidochromis-phenochilus-star-sapphire-tanzania","title":"Placidochromis phenochilus \"Star Sapphire\" Tanzania — 1.5\"–2\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003ePlacidochromis phenochilus, known in the hobby as the Star Sapphire, is one of the most visually striking cichlids Lake Malawi has to offer. Males develop a deep metallic blue body covered in bright white iridescent spots that shimmer under aquarium lighting — a showstopper in any Malawi setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eCollected from the Tanzanian coastline of Lake Malawi, these are peaceful haps that work well in a mixed species display tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532218872000,"sku":"JE-HAP-002","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/4099\/2960\/files\/Placidochromis_phenochilus_juvenile_2.0_-_Benny_Hopp_c2b58746-22a9-486a-b7cb-4da5ee898dd0.jpg?v=1788960201"},{"product_id":"placidochromis-electra-deepwater-hap","title":"Placidochromis electra \"Deepwater Hap\" — 1.5\"–2\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003ePlacidochromis electra, known as the Deepwater Hap, is a graceful Lake Malawi cichlid that rewards patient keepers. Males develop a rich blue-purple coloring as they mature, making them a standout addition to any Malawi haplochromine display tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eA peaceful species that coexists well with other non-aggressive Malawi cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532224377024,"sku":"JE-HAP-003","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"cynotilapia-afra-cobue","title":"Cynotilapia afra \"Cobue\" — 1.5\"–2\" Unsexed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eCynotilapia afra \"Cobue\" is a striking Lake Malawi mbuna collected from the rocky shores near Cobue on the Mozambique side of the lake. Males display a vivid blue body with bold dark vertical barring — a classic mbuna look that stands out in any African cichlid setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eAn active and hardy species, well suited for experienced mbuna keepers who understand the importance of a properly structured tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532236239040,"sku":"JE-MBU-002","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"copadichromis-sp-mloto-gold-crest-makonde","title":"Copadichromis sp. mloto gold crest 'Makonde' — 3\"–4\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCopadichromis\u003c\/em\u003e sp. mloto gold crest 'Makonde' is a stunning haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi. Males develop a brilliant blue body with a striking gold crest on the forehead. Captive bred from our own breeding group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently out of stock.\u003c\/strong\u003e Our adult group is retained for breeding. Young fish are listed here as they are grown out to shippable size.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532574896320,"sku":"JE-HAP-004","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/4099\/2960\/files\/Copadichromis_mloto_gold_crest_2.0_-_Benny_Hopp_02b3697e-cefc-4f2c-8a85-558c5a428572.jpg?v=1788960165"}],"url":"https:\/\/jungleexpress.net\/collections\/african-cichlids.oembed","provider":"Jungle Express","version":"1.0","type":"link"}