Description

 

The Gissel Cichlid (Placidochromis gisseli) is a stunning, relatively peaceful open-sand dweller from Lake Malawi. They are highly sought after by Australian hobbyists for their unique metallic blue hues and "humped" head profile.

GISSEL CICHLID QUICK PROFILE

Common Name: Gissel Cichlid

Origin: Lake Malawi (specifically around Gissel Reef)

Adult Size: Males: 16–18 cm; Females: 12–14 cm

Temperament: Mild-mannered for a Cichlid; "peaceful" sand-sifter

Minimum Tank Size: 300 Litres (minimum 4ft length, 5ft preferred)

Diet: Carnivorous / Omnivorous (Invertebrate specialist)

Water Parameters & Chemistry
In Australia, many capital cities have soft tap water. You will likely need to buffer your water to replicate the alkaline conditions of the African Rift Lakes.

Temperature: 24°C – 26°C

pH Level: 7.8 – 8.6

Hardness (GH): 10 – 20 dGH

Carbonate Hardness (KH): 8 – 12 dKH

Aquarium Setup & Decor
Substrate: This is non-negotiable—you must use fine sand. These fish are "sand-mop" feeders; they plunge their mouths into the substrate to find micro-organisms. Rough gravel can damage their gills and mouths.

Open Space: Unlike Mbuna (rock-dwellers), Placidochromis need plenty of open swimming space.

Rockwork: Place a few large rocks at the back or sides to provide territory markers and refuge, but keep the centre of the tank clear.

Diet & Feeding
In the wild, they follow large "digging" cichlids and eat the scraps kicked up in the sand.

Pellets: Use a high-quality Australian-made sinking pellet (like New Life Spectrum or Northfin).

Frozen Food: They love frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped krill.

Avoid: High-fat mammal meats (like beef heart) or excessive generic "flake" food which can lead to Malawi Bloat.

Behaviour & Compatibility
The Gissel Cichlid is a "gentle giant" in the Malawi world. They can be easily bullied by aggressive Mbuna (like Demasoni or Hongi).

Best Tankmates: Other Placidochromis (like the Electra), Cyrtocara moorii (Blue Dolphins), and peaceful Copadichromis (Utaka).

Social Structure: Ideally kept in a harem (one male to 3+ females) to manage the male's breeding enthusiasm.