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Malawi Eye Biter, Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Lake Malawi · Species profile

Malawi Eye Biter care

A predator. It will eat fish under about 5 inches, but it is peaceful with fish too large to swallow.

  • Up to about 10 inches, not counting the tailAdult size
  • 73 to 82 FTemperature

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Food

Meaty foods such as prawns, mussel and krill, plus some pellets. It is a fish eater in nature but learns to take dead foods.

Feeding guide

Tank mates

Venustus, frontosa, electric blue haps and other large haps.

Compatibility guide

Best setup

A tank at least 5 feet long. Sand, open swimming room and a few rock piles along the back, with hard alkaline water and good filtration. Peacocks sift sand for food, so avoid sharp gravel.

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In the fish room

Malawi Eye Biter in color

Bold color, real personality, natural-looking setups. The look that makes you stop in a great fish store.

Malawi Eye Biter, full body
Malawi Eye Biter, full body
Malawi Eye Biter in the aquarium
Malawi Eye Biter in the aquarium
Malawi Eye Biter color and form
Malawi Eye Biter color and form
Malawi rockwork
Malawi rockwork

Care basics

Despite its name, this flat, knife shaped hap feeds mainly on small fish. Males turn a metallic blue and green as they mature.

Only keep it with fish too large to eat, such as venustus, frontosa and other large haps. Several females per male is best.

Quick facts

Scientific nameDimidiochromis compressiceps
GroupLake Malawi hap/peacock
Native toLake Malawi
Adult sizeUp to about 10 inches, not counting the tail
Tank sizeA tank at least 5 feet long
Temperature73 to 82 F
pH7.5 to 8.8, hard water
TemperamentA predator. It will eat fish under about 5 inches, but it is peaceful with fish too large to swallow.

Figures follow published species profiles such as Seriously Fish, and tank sizes are general guidance. Individual fish and local water vary, so test your water and ask your fish store about the specific fish you buy.

Where to buy

In stock online for Malawi Eye Biter

We check these online sellers that ship. Partners show up first. Local shops are listed separately as visit the store.

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  • Wet Spot Tropical Fish
    Dimidiochromis compressicepsIn stock, checked 2:00 PM ET
Sold out at last check (2)

Stock checked 2:00 PM ET on 2026-10-27. A fish can sell out between checks.

Local fish stores

Walk-in shops are listed as visit the store only. We do not claim their stock online. Find a store near you.

Ozzy the oscar holding a shopping bag
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Shop the Malawi Eye Biter setup

The tank, food, filter, heater and decor that suit Malawi Eye Biter, based on the care notes above.

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Gear We Recommend

Gear for Malawi Eye Biter

All gear
Hikari Cichlid Gold Large Pellets 8.8 oz
Best for: Oscars and big cichlids

Hikari Cichlid Gold Large Pellets 8.8 oz

Big bites for big mouths, with less mess than frozen foods.

Check price on Amazon
San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Bloodworms Cubes
Best for: New World cichlids and oddballs

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Bloodworms Cubes

A weekly treat. Skip bloodworms for mbuna.

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All Glass Aquarium 125-Gallon
Best for: Oscars and big cichlid communities

All Glass Aquarium 125-Gallon

Six feet of swimming room for big New World cichlids.

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Fluval 407 Performance Canister Filter
Best for: 55 to 100 gallon tanks

Fluval 407 Performance Canister Filter

Quiet multi-stage canister that is the workhorse of mid-size cichlid tanks.

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Buy from a cichlid store. Find a local fish store near you or a trusted seller with fish in stock online.