Breeding to bring them back
Lake Victoria was once home to hundreds of cichlid species found nowhere else on Earth. Over the past several decades, introduced predators, habitat loss, and declining water quality have pushed many of them toward extinction, and a number of species now survive largely in aquariums.
Nyanza Cichlid Sanctuary was founded to help change that. We are a conservation breeder focused exclusively on cichlids from the Lake Victoria basin. Our goal is to keep these species alive and to help repopulate them.
What we do
We keep and breed these fish in dedicated tanks at the sanctuary, working to maintain healthy, diverse populations of each species and to keep every locale line pure. Careful records, careful pairing, and patience are the heart of the work.
Why we sell them
We happen to sell some of the fish we breed. Placing them with careful, knowledgeable keepers spreads these species across many tanks, which is one of the best safeguards against losing them. We sell only cichlids from the Lake Victoria basin. We do not sell any other species, equipment, or supplies.
How you can help
Every fish kept and bred by a careful hobbyist is another safeguard for the species. If you keep these fish, give them room, keep each species to its own tank, and never cross them with other species.
Our promise
Every fish is photographed as it is, described honestly, and packed for a safe trip. Read our Shipping & Arrival page and our Care Guide, or browse the FAQ.