MALAWI EYE BITER - 4-5cm

The Malawi Eye-Biter is one of those fish species that has a well deserved common name that clearly illustrates its behaviour. Malawi Eye-Biters are well known for their propensity to bite or eat the eyes out of smaller fish species before consuming them tail first. Both habitats are a bit unusual as most fish simply swallow their prey head first and do not specifically attack the eyes of the prey.

With a well-deserved reputation such as this, it is understandable that this species is not suited for most community African Cichlid aquariums. Malawi Eye-Biter needs to be housed with larger species that will not be considered as a food source. A general rule of thumb is that Malawi Eye-Biter tank mates be at least six inches in length or just over half as long as an adult Malawi Eye-Biter. This species is endemic to all of Lake Malawi and are commonly collected for the aquarium trade, where they are typically sold as Malawi Eye-Biters or Compressiceps Cichlids.