{"product_id":"f2-star-sapphire-placidochromis-sp-phenochilus-tanzania","title":"F2 Star Sapphire (Placidochromis sp.) “Phenochilus Tanzania”","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF2 Star Sapphire African Cichlid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacidochromis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp. “Phenochilus Tanzania”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Star Sapphire Cichlid\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e F2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF2 Star Sapphire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a highly sought-after Lake Malawi African cichlid famous for the spectacular appearance mature males develop. Adult males display a rich \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emetallic blue base covered with shimmering light-blue to white spotting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, creating the distinctive “starry” appearance that gives the Star Sapphire its name.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most exciting characteristics of this species is its transformation as it matures. Juveniles can look relatively plain compared with adults, while mature males gradually develop increasingly intense blue coloration and the characteristic irregular metallic spotting. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatience pays off with this fish—the Star Sapphire can become one of the most impressive cichlids in the aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF2 designation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e indicates these fish are second-generation descendants from the breeder’s original wild-line stock, making them particularly attractive to collectors and breeders interested in maintaining quality lineage and natural characteristics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Information:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Semi-Aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Omnivore – high-quality African cichlid pellets supplemented with appropriate frozen and vegetable-based foods\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 76–82°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 7.5–8.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 8–10 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 75 gallons; 125+ gallons preferred for mature groups and mixed Hap communities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailable Sizes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Select your desired size when ordering. Juveniles may not yet display the signature adult spotting. Coloration, spotting, size, and fin development will naturally vary between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF2 Lineage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese fish are sold as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eF2 Star Sapphire (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacidochromis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp. “Phenochilus Tanzania”)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, offering African cichlid enthusiasts fish with close ties to wild-origin lineage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive Arrival\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery fish is carefully selected and prepared for shipping. Please review our \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive Arrival Guarantee and shipping policies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e before ordering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Photos are representative of the variety. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe exact fish received may vary from the fish pictured.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MAPS Aquatics and Exotics","offers":[{"title":"3-4” Male","offer_id":53320092254517,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4.5-5” Male","offer_id":53320122859829,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-4.5” Female","offer_id":53320122892597,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/2145\/1573\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_bea0e3ac-77f9-48f0-900d-5dca102ea158.jpg?v=1787086279","url":"https:\/\/mapsaquaticandexotic.com\/products\/f2-star-sapphire-placidochromis-sp-phenochilus-tanzania","provider":"MAPS Aquatics and Exotics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}