Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae) – African Cichlid – Live Fish
Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae) – African Cichlid – Live Fish
The Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae) is one of the most peaceful and colorful mbuna from Lake Malawi. Known for its soft rust-orange body, lavender undertones, and gentle temperament, this species is ideal for hobbyists who want mbuna color without mbuna aggression. Males develop deeper orange and purple hues as they mature, while females hold a warm, earthy tone that stands out beautifully in rockwork setups.
This hardy species thrives in rocky Malawi aquariums and mixes well with other mild-mannered mbuna or haplochromines.
🐠 Peaceful mbuna species — great for beginners
🌈 Rust-orange body with purple highlights
🪨 Thrives in rocky Malawi setups
💧 Compatible with other low-aggression mbuna
🍽️ Omnivore — accepts pellets, flakes, and veggie-based foods
📏 Grows up to 3.5–4" — perfect for medium Malawi tanks
A beautiful, calm, and easygoing cichlid that adds warm color and movement to any Malawi aquarium.
At Rockland Aquarium, we make sure every fish is healthy, active, and eating well before being sold, so you can buy with confidence.
Photo in this listing is our stock picture. You will receive the same type, color, and grade as shown.
Shipping Information
We ship live fish orders every Tuesday through Thursday to ensure safe delivery and minimal transit time.
Orders placed this week will typically ship the following week.
Live arrival guarantee
Local pickup is available at our retail store:
Rockland Aquarium
132 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
Terms and Conditions for Live Fish:
To qualify for our Live Arrival Guarantee, the following conditions must be met:
Proof Required – A clear photo or video of the DOA fish inside the unopened original bag must be emailed within 2 hours of delivery.
Correct Address Only – Package must be shipped to the address provided at checkout. No forwarding addresses.
First Delivery Attempt – Someone must be present for the first delivery attempt. Missing the delivery voids the guarantee.
🔁 Refunds apply to the cost of the fish only. Shipping fees are non-refundable.
📏 All listed fish sizes are approximate.
⚠️ Buyers are responsible for following all local and state livestock laws.
Shipping Tropical Fish from Rockland Aquarium
Shipping Rates
- Local Pickup — Free
- $39.99 Flat Rate — New York State — Any Quantity
- $49.99 Flat Rate — All Other States — Any Quantity
📅 Shipping Schedule
We ship live fish orders Tuesday through Thursday to ensure safe delivery and minimal transit time.
Orders are shipped in the order they are placed.
Typical handling time is 2–4 business days (excluding weekends).
Please note:
Some delays may occur due to weather conditions, inventory changes, or high order volumes.
If a delay occurs, we will do our best to notify you with updated details.
🏪 Local Pickup
Local pickup is available at our retail location:
Rockland Aquarium
132 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
📦 Live Arrival Guarantee
To qualify for our Live Arrival Guarantee, the following conditions must be met:
- Proof Required:
A clear photo or video of the DOA (dead on arrival) fish inside the unopened original bag must be emailed to us within 2 hours of delivery. - Correct Address Only:
The package must be shipped to the exact address provided at checkout.
The guarantee is void if sent to a forwarding address. - First Delivery Attempt:
Someone must be present to receive the package on the first delivery attempt.
If not, the guarantee is void.
💵 Refunds
- Refunds are issued for the cost of the fish only.
- Shipping fees are non-refundable.
⚖️ Additional Terms
- 📏 All listed fish sizes are approximate.
- ⚠️ Buyers are responsible for knowing and complying with all local and state livestock laws.
🕐 Why “Next-Day Delivery” May Take Longer Than 24 Hours
“Next-Day Delivery” refers to the transit time — the period between when your package leaves our facility and when it arrives at your address.
Please note:
- Delivery methods do not include handling or preparation time.
- We ship Tuesday through Thursday only, to prevent weekend delays.
- Orders may require additional time for packing, scheduling, or weather-related adjustments before they ship.
Our top priority is the health and safety of the fish — we never rush shipments at the expense of proper care and preparation.
Dry Goods Shipping Policy
(Fish Food, Medications, Filtration Products, and More)
📦 Order Processing
- Orders placed Monday–Friday usually ship the same or next business day.
- Orders placed Saturday–Sunday typically ship on Monday.
- Packages are picked up Monday–Saturday by carriers.
- All orders ship from our retail store and storage facility in Bardonia, NY.
🚫 Shipping Restrictions
We currently do not ship to:
- Puerto Rico
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- International destinations
💲 Shipping Rates & Free Shipping
- Orders over $15.00: ✅ Free Shipping within the lower 48 states.
- Orders under $15.00: Flat rate $4.99 shipping.
- Frozen foods, aquariums, and stands: 🏬 Pick-up only or local delivery quote available upon request.
📦 Refused Packages
If a shipment is refused or returned to sender:
- A 10% restocking fee will be deducted from your refund.
- Only returned items received in original condition will be credited.
🕒 Out of Stock & Backorders
We strive to maintain full stock, but availability can vary due to high demand or manufacturer delays.
- Orders will not be held for out-of-stock items.
- Backordered items ship separately at no additional cost once available.
⚠️ Damaged Items
If your order arrives damaged:
- Contact us within 24 hours of delivery.
Orders cannot be canceled or refused due to carrier delays.
🔁 Returns
- All returned items must be packed securely in original packaging.
- Clearly write your RMA number on the shipping label (not on the product box).
- Returns must comply with our official Return Policy.
🧾 RMA (Return Authorization)
Before sending any returns:
- Review our Return Policy.
- Request an RMA number through our Contact Page.
- Unauthorized returns may be refused or delayed in processing.
