The Haplochromis Obliquidens, also called Zebra Obliquidens or Victoria Cichlid, originates from Lake Victoria and brings bold colors and active behavior to aquariums. Males display a stunning blue head and back with a yellow body accented by red reflections, while females are more subdued; both grow to 10 cm. As a beginner-friendly cichlid, it adapts well but requires species-specific setup to manage occasional aggression—house in groups or pairs to reduce stress.

Provide a minimum 55-gallon tank for a pair (larger for groups) with strong filtration, rocky structures, and a sandy substrate to mimic its natural habitat. Water should be moderately hard and alkaline (pH 7.5-9.0, KH 9-25 dKH) at 24-27°C; perform biweekly changes to keep nitrates below 30 ppm. Feed a varied, protein-rich diet including frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, high-quality flakes, pellets, and spirulina for optimal color and health—avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality.

Breeding is very easy: pairs spawn readily in hard water, with the female holding eggs; remove adults post-spawning for fry success. Not for community tanks—pair with similar Victorias.​