Malawi Milomo Cichlid

Placidochromis milomo is a Lake Malawi haplochromine, known in the trade as the milomo or super VC-10 and immediately recognisable by its thick, fleshy lips. In the wild those lips seal over rock crevices while the fish sucks out the invertebrates inside. Dominant males take on a strong blue over the head and body; females and subdominant males stay silvery brown.

Aquarium care

• Grows large for a Malawi cichlid, reaching around 20 cm.
• Needs hard, alkaline water — Lake Malawi conditions, not soft water.
• Requires a big tank with substantial rockwork and open swimming space.
• Feed quality cichlid pellets and frozen foods; it is an invertebrate feeder in the wild rather than an algae grazer.
• Males hold territory and display, and become more assertive as they mature.
• The lip development becomes more pronounced with age.

It suits a large Malawi tank with other haplochromines and peacocks of similar size. Avoid mixing it with mbuna, whose vegetable-based feeding regime does not suit it, and avoid soft-water community fish entirely. Please note this listing sits under a handle referring to a peacock cichlid, while the species named is a hap — our staff can confirm which fish is in the tank.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is available for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Browse the haplochromis collection.