{"id":12008,"date":"2026-02-17T23:06:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/roxy-cichlid-othopharynx-roxy-5cm\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T23:06:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:06:06","slug":"roxy-cichlid-othopharynx-roxy-5cm","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=roxy-cichlid-othopharynx-roxy-5cm","title":{"rendered":"Roxy Cichlid Othopharynx Roxy &#8211; 5cm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"229\" data-end=\"658\"><strong data-start=\"229\" data-end=\"242\">Overview:<\/strong><br data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"245\" \/>The <strong data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"265\">Roxy Cichlid<\/strong> is a <strong data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"318\">vibrantly colored Lake Malawi haplochromine<\/strong> known for its <strong data-start=\"333\" data-end=\"357\">iridescent blue body<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"377\">metallic sheen<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"417\">fiery orange or red highlights<\/strong>, especially in mature males. A relatively peaceful species compared to many African cichlids, <em data-start=\"512\" data-end=\"535\">Otopharynx sp. &#8220;Roxy&#8221;<\/em> is prized for its <strong data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"596\">striking coloration, graceful movement<\/strong>, and compatibility in <strong data-start=\"619\" data-end=\"657\">hap or peacock cichlid communities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"977\"><strong data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"671\">Origin:<\/strong><br data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"674\" \/>Believed to be a <strong data-start=\"691\" data-end=\"743\">selectively bred or possibly undescribed species<\/strong> within the <em data-start=\"755\" data-end=\"767\">Otopharynx<\/em> genus, the &#8220;Roxy&#8221; variant likely originates from <strong data-start=\"817\" data-end=\"832\">Lake Malawi<\/strong> in East Africa. Not found in the wild under this name, it has become a favorite among aquarists for its <strong data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"976\">colorful and manageable temperament<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"979\" data-end=\"1270\"><strong data-start=\"979\" data-end=\"991\">Feeding:<\/strong><br data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"994\" \/>Omnivorous with a preference for protein-rich diets. Feed a mix of <strong data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1093\">high-quality cichlid pellets<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1095\" data-end=\"1121\">spirulina-based flakes<\/strong>, and occasional <strong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1162\">frozen or live foods<\/strong> like <strong data-start=\"1168\" data-end=\"1191\">brine shrimp, krill<\/strong>, or <strong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1210\">bloodworms<\/strong>. Avoid overfeeding protein-heavy foods to prevent bloating.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1598\"><strong data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1287\">Tank Mates:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1290\" \/>Semi-aggressive but generally <strong data-start=\"1320\" data-end=\"1353\">peaceful for a Malawi cichlid<\/strong>. Best kept with other <strong data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1394\">haplochromines<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1421\">Aulonocara (Peacocks)<\/strong>, and similarly sized species. Avoid overly aggressive Mbuna or very delicate fish. Keep <strong data-start=\"1510\" data-end=\"1542\">1 male with multiple females<\/strong> or in <strong data-start=\"1549\" data-end=\"1576\">male-only display tanks<\/strong> to reduce aggression.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1623\"><strong data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1621\">Water Parameters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<li data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1662\">\n<p data-start=\"1626\" data-end=\"1662\">Temperature: <strong data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1660\">76\u201382\u00b0F (24\u201328\u00b0C)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1682\">\n<p data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1682\">pH: <strong data-start=\"1669\" data-end=\"1680\">7.8\u20138.6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1683\" data-end=\"1710\">\n<p data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1710\">Hardness: <strong data-start=\"1695\" data-end=\"1708\">10\u201320 dGH<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1711\" data-end=\"1748\">\n<p data-start=\"1713\" data-end=\"1748\">Minimum Tank Size: <strong data-start=\"1732\" data-end=\"1746\">55 gallons<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1817\">\n<p data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1817\">Provide <strong data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"1788\">rockwork, sandy substrate<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1817\">open swimming areas<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1848\"><strong data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1846\">Behavior &amp; Personality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"2043\">\n<li data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1930\">\n<p data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"1930\">Males display <strong data-start=\"1865\" data-end=\"1887\">intense coloration<\/strong>, especially during dominance or breeding<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1931\" data-end=\"1990\">\n<p data-start=\"1933\" data-end=\"1990\">Territorial but less aggressive than Mbuna or some haps<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1991\" data-end=\"2043\">\n<p data-start=\"1993\" data-end=\"2043\">Active and <strong data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2043\">visually dynamic mid-water swimmers<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2045\" data-end=\"2065\"><strong data-start=\"2045\" data-end=\"2063\">Special Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2314\">\n<li data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2157\">\n<p data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2157\">May crossbreed with other Otopharynx or peacock types\u2014<strong data-start=\"2122\" data-end=\"2155\">avoid in mixed breeding tanks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2158\" data-end=\"2242\">\n<p data-start=\"2160\" data-end=\"2242\">Best colors develop with <strong data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2220\">stable water, high-quality diet<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2240\">low stress<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2314\">\n<p data-start=\"2245\" data-end=\"2314\">Not found in the wild\u2014developed in captivity for the ornamental trade<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2316\" data-end=\"2552\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">The <strong data-start=\"2320\" data-end=\"2336\">Roxy Cichlid<\/strong> is a perfect choice for aquarists looking to add <strong data-start=\"2386\" data-end=\"2419\">vivid color and gentle energy<\/strong> to their African cichlid aquarium. Its <strong data-start=\"2459\" data-end=\"2478\">shimmering hues<\/strong> and balanced temperament make it a standout among Lake Malawi showpieces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview:The Roxy Cichlid is a vibrantly colored Lake Malawi haplochromine known for its iridescent blue body, metallic sheen, and fiery orange or red highlights, especially in mature males. A relatively peaceful species compared to many African cichlids, Otopharynx sp. &#8220;Roxy&#8221; is prized for its striking coloration, graceful movement, and compatibility in hap or peacock cichlid [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12007,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[46],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12008","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-haplochromis","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/12008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=12008"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=12008"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=12008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}