Back in January 2002, I bought a 3", F1 Buttikoferi at a cost of $12. That Buttikoferi along with a Urophthalmus, Labiatus and Citrinellus went into my 500g to become the first inhabitants. Since then many more fish have been added, and the little Buttikoferi has grown to be the Dominant fish and the second largest fish in the tank. He is now over 8" SL and answers to no one. And there are some formidable foes occupying the same space. Five Labiatus, 4 Midas, 2 Urophthalmus, and a host of others all fear the this subadult Buttikoferi. He rarely misuses his powers but has killed 2 fish recently. He may have to be moved to a tank of his own eventually. This fish is beautifully striped in black and gold, with white fin edges, long flowing ventral fins, and blue highlights on his lips and face.
Although the natural range of the Buttikoferi is in African, this is one African that is best housed with Central American cichlids. The Hornet Cichlid as it is often called is much larger and much more aggressive than the vast magority of other African species. And even most Central American species will be subdominant to this beast of a cichlid.