One of the first mouthbrooding cichlids ever brought into the hobby, the Egyptian Mouthbrooder was, for much of its history, known simply as The Mouthbrooder. Nowadays, we recognise two distinct subspecies of the Egyptian Mouthbrooder, the common EMB, and this, the Victorian Mouthbrooder. They can be told apart by the colouration of the male's lips; Victorians have blue lips.

These fish are generally quite hardy and forgiving of water conditions, provided the water is clean. A more temperature species, they can survive in an unheated tank, and would even make an interesting addition to a summer pond. Hardness is unimportand, and almost any pH seems to be tolerated, as long as extremes are avoided.

Males of this species tend to bicker relentlessly with each other, though they are generally fairly peaceful otherwise. Maintain them either as a pair, or in a harem. Make sure that there are plenty of hiding spaces available for the fish to slip into, as they'll feel more secure.

A small dwarf cichlid, the Victorian Mouthbrooder will mix well with fast moving, schooling fish, such as various danios, barbs, and rainbowfish.