Our passion and story

Oliver’s fascination with Malawi cichlids began at a very young age. When he was just five years old, his uncle bought a Juwel Vision 450L aquarium filled with a mix of Malawi cichlids. Among them was a dominant male Pseudotropheus elongatus “Mpangha” and a pair of Labidochromis caeruleus “golden spec” — fish that instantly captured his imagination.

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One thing led to another, and the following Christmas his uncle surprised him with his very own aquarium, stocked with guppies. For a few years Oliver kept community fish, but over time his interest slowly faded, and eventually the aquarium was taken down.

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Years later, while cleaning out the garage, he stumbled across the old aquarium once again. That forgotten spark reignited, and soon the tank was back in place. By the end of 7th grade, his mother gifted him four Labidochromis caeruleus “golden spec,” and from that moment his passion grew exponentially. He devoured every book in the library, studied countless articles online, and watched YouTube videos over and over, determined to learn everything about cichlids.

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As his knowledge grew, so did his collection. He upgraded his aquarium, added more fish, and even acquired his first wild specimens. After much persuasion, he finally got permission to build a 7-square-meter fish room in his parents’ garage — the perfect space to begin breeding.

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Ten years later, Oliver’s hobby had transformed into something much greater. With a cellar housing 50 aquariums, a business, plans to expand even further, and two unforgettable trips to Malawi, he has met countless inspiring people and continues to live out his lifelong passion for these extraordinary fish.