Cynotilapia afra

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Cynotilapia afra, the afra cichlid or dogtooth cichlid, is a small fish from Lake Malawi in East Africa. It lives in rocky areas, and its name “dogtooth” comes from its sharp, conical teeth.

Habitat and water needs
Afra cichlids prefer slightly alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5) and warm temperatures (23–27°C). They live among rocks and caves, where they can hide and breed.

Appearance and color variety
The afra cichlid has an elongated body with vertical blue and black bars. Color patterns vary by region. For example, males from Cobue are shown with specific colors, while fish from Jalo Reef may have no body yellow but a yellow dorsal fin. Other populations may have different color highlights or none at all. Males can reach about 10 cm, with females smaller.

Reproduction and behavior
Like many Lake Malawi cichlids, afras are mouthbrooders. Males defend territories near caves and feed on algae and tiny organisms found on the rocks. Females join mid-water groups and feed on plankton. They are aggressive and very territorial, so they’re best kept in a species tank or a mixed mbuna tank with careful planning. They are usually kept in a harem setup, with one male and several females.

Tank setup and care
To keep afras healthy, provide plenty of open swimming space plus lots of hiding spots and shelters. When mixing species, avoid fish that look too similar to reduce aggression.

Size and status
Males grow up to about 10 cm; females are smaller. The species is listed as Least Concern in conservation status.

Taxonomy (quick reference)
Scientific name: Cynotilapia afra
Genus: Cynotilapia; Family: Cichlidae; Order: Cichliformes; Class: Actinopterygii; Phylum: Chordata; Kingdom: Animalia
Synonyms include Hemichromis afer and Paratilapia afer.