A. flaviijosephi breeds in the spring and summer,[1] and a female is able to spawn more than once in a season.[2] Females will already breed when 4 cm (1.6 in) long and males when 5 cm (2.0 in).[8] Breeding males are highly territorial and will kill another adult male if he is unable to escape, as can happen if kept in an aquarium that is too small.[8] Like other haplochromines, A. flaviijosephi is a mouthbrooder.