Giraffe 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 Giraffe Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus), also known as the Venustus cichlid or Giraffe fish, is one of the most impressive and unique African cichlids found in Lake Malawi. Known for its Giraffe-like spotted pattern, bold personality, and large adult size, the Giraffe cichlid venustus makes a striking addition to African cichlid aquariums. Popular among aquarists for their beauty and fascinating predatory behavior, these Cichlid fish are ideal for hobbyists looking for a powerful and commanding showpiece.
Native to the sandy and rocky zones of Lake Malawi in Africa, the Giraffe fish is a predatory haplochromine cichlid. In the wild, they are ambush predators, often lying still on the substrate before striking at passing fish. Despite their size and hunting instincts, they can be successfully managed in large aquariums with proper tank mates, making them a favorite among advanced cichlid enthusiasts.
The Giraffe cichlid size can reach an impressive 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) in captivity, making them one of the larger African cichlids available. Their body is marked with a Giraffe-like mottled pattern of golden yellow and brown spots. Mature males develop brilliant blue coloration on the face and fins, adding even more beauty to their striking appearance.
Venustus cichlids are semi-aggressive and predatory, best suited for large aquariums with other robust African cichlids. They should not be housed with very small fish, as they may be seen as food. Provide a spacious aquarium with sandy substrate, rocky caves, and open swimming areas to keep them active and healthy.
At Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Giraffe 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?
- Striking Giraffe-like spotted pattern with golden and blue hues
- Large adult size is up to 12 inches, perfect for display tanks
- Fascinating ambush predator with unique hunting behavior
- Hardy and long-lived with proper care
- A true centerpiece among Lake Malawi African cichlids
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS
- Tank Size: Minimum 75–100 gallons for adults
- Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C)
- pH: 7.8–8.6 (alkaline, Lake Malawi conditions)
- Hardness: 8–20 dGH
- Filtration: Strong with high oxygenation and regular water changes
CARE GUIDELINES
- Diet: Carnivorous. Feed a high-quality cichlid pellet diet, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as krill, shrimp, and occasional fish. Avoid overfeeding and provide a varied diet for the best health and coloration.
- Tank Setup: Provide a sandy substrate with rocky caves and open swimming areas. They enjoy wide spaces for movement and ambush-style hunting.
- Behavior: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially males. Best kept with other large haplochromine cichlids or robust African species.
See more detailed information on How to Care for Cichlid Fish here.
Giraffe Cichlid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Differences between Giraffe Cichlid males vs females?
Male Giraffe Cichlids (venustus cichlids) are larger and display more intense coloration compared to females. Mature males often develop brilliant metallic blue on the head and face, along with a golden-yellow body covered in Giraffe-like spots. Female Giraffe Cichlids remain smaller, with more muted brown and yellow tones, and lack the strong blue highlights. These visual differences make it easier to distinguish male vs female Giraffe cichlids in aquariums.
What are the best Giraffe Cichlid tank mates?
The best tank mates for Giraffe fish are other large and semi-aggressive Lake Malawi cichlids, especially haps and peacock cichlids of similar size and temperament. They also do well with robust Synodontis catfish. Avoid small community fish or timid species, as Giraffe cichlids are predatory and may view them as food. Providing a large tank with plenty of space and rocks helps reduce aggression among tankmates.
How long do Giraffe Cichlids live?
With proper care, Giraffe Cichlids can live 8–10 years in captivity. A spacious aquarium, stable water parameters, and a high-quality carnivorous diet are key to ensuring a long lifespan. Their hardy nature makes them one of the most rewarding African cichlids to keep long-term.
