The male Astatotilapia calliptera has blue lips and a dark line through its eye.

It can show a reddish forehead but the body is normally yellow, although some wild populations are blue.

[6] Astatotilapia calliptera prefers shallow water with a sand substrate with aquatic vegetation such as species of Vallisneria,[3] where it can be abundant.

[1] It is an omnivore and much of its diet consists of detritus and phytoplankton;[3] they will also eat invertebrates, algae and smaller fishes.

The young are then guarded by their mother for a further 5-6 days, using her mouth as a refuge when they perceive danger.