Malawi Hawk Cichlid (Aristochromis christyi)

The Malawi Hawk Cichlid (Aristochromis christyi) is a unique predator in Lake Malawi. Growing to around twelve inches in length, this uncommon species is among the largest cichlids in this ecosystem and is highly adapted for preying upon the many smaller mbuna and utaka found close to the shoreline. With an elongate body and an enlarged, bulbous head, Aristochromis is highly adapted for lunging into the rocks after its agile prey. True to its name, this fish comes at its prey from above, like a hawk, tilting downwards at an angle with a rapid attack.

The cichlids of Malawi are famed for their incredible biodiversity, seemingly speciating at the slightest provocation, but this is not true for the Malawi Hawk. There is just a single species in this genus, and it occurs in low abundance across the entirety of the lake with no apparent variation across locations.

Juveniles and females are similar in appearance, being primarily silvery with an oblique black line running from the nape to the caudal fin and with another line present along the base of the dorsal fin. Males, as they mature, mostly lose these stripes, instead developing an increasing amount of blue throughout the body, while the ventral fins become ever oranger. In the full bloom of their nuptial colors, this is one of the more visually impressive African cichlids and a true centerpiece for an aquarium large enough to house it.

As juveniles, it’s possible to keep multiple Aristochromis together, and, for those wishing to eventually establish a harem and potentially breed this fish, this is the best way to acquire the correct sex ratio. Males are likely to become increasingly belligerent with age, and, in smaller aquariums, rivals may ultimately need to be separated. As for other tankmates, it is imperative to stick to suitably robust species, lest they wind up on the menu. Some possible choices could include Cyrtocara moorii, Dimidiochromis, or Fossorochromis, but even a fully grown Aulonocara peacock cichlid is likely to be relatively safe.

Though aquarium specimens are generally commercially bred rather than wild caught, it’s rare for this fish to successfully reproduce in a home aquarium. Like most other Malawi cichlids, it is a polygamous maternal mouthbrooder, and, after incubating within their mother’s mouth for around a month, the released juveniles are large enough to fend for themselves. While the natural diet is presumably entirely comprised of fish, the Malawi Hawk will fare find on the standard mix of carnivore pellets and frozen, meaty foods. Just be sure there is powerful filtration and abundant water changes to keep up with the copious waste such a large predator can produce.