The Blockhead Cichlid is a rheophilic species known from fast-flowing segments of the Lower Congo River Basin. Here the water is turbulent and highly oxygenated. This habitat should be replicated as closely as possible in the home aquarium by using extra powerheads (in addition to the return flow from filters) to create a river type effect. The surface of the water should be visibly moving to ensure that there is a very high amount of oxygenation within the water at all times. An additional air-pump is also a handy back-up. Without such a high level of oxygenation and water movement, Blockhead Cichlids will not fare well at all.