Blue Dolphin Cichlid
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- Get free shipping on non-live fish orders over $75 and live fish orders over $300.
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
The Blue Dolphin Cichlid (Cyrtocara moorii), also known as the Dolphin cichlid or Blue Dolphin fish, is one of the most iconic African cichlids from Lake Malawi. Admired for its shimmering powder-blue body and distinctive “Dolphin-like” forehead hump, the Blue Dolphin moorii is a gentle giant that brings both elegance and personality to large cichlid aquariums. With its graceful swimming style and striking appearance, this Cichlid fish is a centerpiece fish every African cichlid enthusiast dreams of keeping.
Native to the sandy, open waters of Lake Malawi in East Africa, the Dolphin cichlid is a unique haplochromine species. Unlike the more aggressive mbuna, Blue Dolphin cichlids are relatively peaceful and best kept in groups, where they display fascinating social interactions. Their soft metallic-blue coloration intensifies as they mature, with dominant males developing larger nuchal humps and deeper shades of Blue.
The Blue Dolphin cichlid size can reach up to 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) in home aquariums, with some males growing even larger in spacious setups. Their defining feature is the rounded forehead hump, which resembles the profile of a Dolphin. Combined with their elongated body and shimmering scales, this gives the Blue Dolphin fish a graceful yet commanding presence.
Compared to many African cichlids, the Blue Dolphin moorii is peaceful and community-oriented, though males may become territorial during breeding. They thrive in colonies and should be kept with other large, non-aggressive haplochromine cichlids. Provide a sandy substrate with rocks and open swimming areas to replicate their natural Lake Malawi habitat.
At Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Blue Dolphin Cichlid for sale and other Cichlids for sale are tank-raised, healthy, and carefully selected for vivid coloration and optimal size. Shop online or visit our aquarium store in Virginia to discover high-quality freshwater fish for sale, betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, aquatic plants for sale, and essential aquarium supplies.
WHAT MAKES THIS FISH SPECIAL?
- Iconic “dolphin-like” forehead hump with shimmering blue body
- Grows 8–10 inches, making it a true centerpiece fish
- Relatively peaceful compared to many African cichlids
- Long-lived and rewarding, with a lifespan of up to 10 years
- Best kept in groups for natural social behavior
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS
- Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons, larger for colonies
- Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C)
- pH: 7.8–8.6 (alkaline, Lake Malawi conditions)
- Hardness: 8–20 dGH
- Filtration: Strong with excellent oxygenation and frequent water changes
CARE GUIDELINES
- Diet: Omnivorous with a preference for protein-rich foods. Provide high-quality cichlid pellets, spirulina, and supplements with live or frozen foods like krill, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
- Tank Setup: Sandy substrate with scattered rocks and open swimming areas. Strong filtration and stable alkaline water conditions are essential.
- Behavior: Peaceful but can be territorial during breeding. Thrives in groups for proper social dynamics.
See more detailed information on How to Care for Cichlid Fish here.
Blue Dolphin Cichlid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest Blue Dolphin Cichlid size?
The Blue Dolphin Cichlid size can reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) in aquariums, with some males growing even larger in spacious tanks. Males are typically bigger than females and develop the characteristic nuchal hump on their forehead, making them one of the most impressive blue cichlid types from Lake Malawi.
Are Blue Dolphin Cichlids aggressive?
Compared to other African cichlids, Blue Dolphin Cichlids are relatively peaceful. While males may show mild territorial behavior during breeding, they are not as aggressive as the mbuna species. They do best when kept with other large, non-aggressive haplochromine cichlids and peacocks that share similar water requirements.
How long do Blue Dolphin Cichlids live in fish tank?
With proper care, the blue dolphin fish can live 8–10 years in a fish tank. A spacious aquarium, stable water conditions, and a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, spirulina, and occasional frozen foods are essential to maximize their lifespan and keep them healthy.
