Basket hap - Mylochromis lateristriga

Scientific name: Mylochromis lateristriga

Common name: Basket hap

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 19 - 22 cm (7.48 - 8.66 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7.2 - 8.3

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 9 - 28°N (160.71 - 500ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 26 °C (73.4 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Basket haps will accept dry foods but prefer live or frozen foods. Use a quality flake or pellets but ensure that you vary their diet with blood worms, tubifex, and beef heart. They will also benefit from feeding occasionally with some spirulina flake.

Origin

Africa; Basket hap is endemic to Lake Malawi.

Sexing

Males tend to be larger than the females and will display more intense colouration.

Breeding

Maravichromis lateristriga are mouth brooders. The female will pick up the eggs into her mouth and swim to the males “egg spot” on his fin, this is when he will fertilise them .It will take up to 3 weeks for the female to release the fry and at this stage, they can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or crushed flake.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Maravichromis lateristriga is 8-10 years.

Short description

Basket haps are very territorial and need a large aquarium. Add plenty of rockwork to provide hiding places but leave open swimming spaces at the front of the tank. One male is best kept with several females.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.