I struggled for a bit with the name I should give these fish from Malawi. They were called Haplochromis a while back, but so were species from Lake Victoria. Now the Haplochromis group from Malawi has been broken down into various groups, while the only the fish from Lake Victoria have still kept the name "Haplochromis", and the herbivorous haplochromines are known as 'Utaka' (SEE Copadichromis.) As for the remaining, and as yet unnamed, what holds them together as a group is that they are larger, piscivorous fish. What were known as Haplochromis, now have received more proper names. For lack of a better term, I will be using the general word 'Haplochromines' to refer to them.
These are:
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Aristochromis Buccochromis Champsochromis Chilotilapia Copadichromis Cyrtocara Dimidochromis Exochochromis |
Fossrochromis Maravichromis Nimbochromis Nyassachromis Otopharynx Placidochromis Protomelas |
Scianochromis Stigmatochromis Taeniochromis Trematochromis Tyrannochromis |
Setting up a Hap tank is not very difficult, but there are certain things one must keep in mind. There should be a lot of rockwork with sparse planting. A tank full of nice rocks could rival any planted tank, I like to compare it to the beauty of the jungle and the beauty of the desert, or of a canyon.
By following the Set-up link you can find my water parameter, stocking, and designing recommendations, which are based on advise from others, books and my experience. You must, though, remember that these are general guidelines and not etched in stone...So have fun and remember that it is you who determines the quality and longevity of these animals lives.
Feeds mainly on other fish.
Herbivore:
Eat chiefly algae, but also small crustaceans or anything else found.
Micro-Predator:
Eats mainly tiny crustaceans and micro organisms, but also a large amount of algae
Most Haps are Piscivores, unlike the vegetarian mbuna. There are some exceptions such as the Copadichromis, Fossrochromis, Protomelas, and Placidochromis, although the latter three do well on a piscivore's diet. The long, slender, almost torpedo shape, and their ability to suddenly burst into speed, give away their hunting nature. Others, such as the Nimbochromis species rely on other means of hunting. However, feeding Haps in an aquarium environment is much different.