Electric blue hap - Sciaenochromis ahli

Scientific name: Sciaenochromis ahli

Common name: Electric blue hap

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 17 - 20 cm (6.69 - 7.87 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7.5 - 8.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 9 - 19°N (160.71 - 339.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 25 - 28 °C (77 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Quality flake, spirulina flake and pellets can be given to Electric blue hap. Be wary of giving them live worms or live brine shrimp, this can lead to bloat which could eventually kill the fish.

Origin

Africa; Electric blue haps originate from Lake Malawi.

Sexing

As the fish matures, the males will display an intense blue coloration, the females will remain a drab grey.

Breeding

The eggs will be fertilized prior to the female collecting them in her mouth. The mouth brooding should last for 2 weeks and in this time she may hide away and not eat. Once the fry are released they can be fed on crushed flake.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Sciaenochromis ahli is 11 years.

Short description

Sciaenochromis ahli need lots of swimming spaces, if rockwork is in the tank, they may stay away from it as they are a non-Mbuna species. A single male kept with 2-3 females is ideal, if two males are in the tank, a lot of aggression will ensue.

Q&A

The next answers were moved here from aqua-fish.net/answers on March 25th 2011 due to merging.

Which fish are compatible with Blue Haps?

Answer: Blue haps can be aggressive so they should be housed with their own species in the tank. If you do wish to mix then peaceful Mbuna are worth a try. Always keep a male Blue Hap with several females.

What size are Hap Ahli fry?

Answer: The fry of these fish are very small initially, probably only 1-2mm. The Hap is a mouth brooder so the fry will not start to grow dramatically until the mother has released them.

Picture

Thanks to Marwin!