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Stripeback Hap

Buccochromis nototaenia

Freshwater Lake Malawi, Africa

A large, active Malawian predatory cichlid sporting a prominent black stripe along the upper flank. Dominant males become brilliant iridescent blue and turquoise. Due to their swift hunting nature and sizable adult build, they must be kept in large tanks without small, swallowable tank mates.

Also called: Haplochromis lepturus line, Stripeback hap.

23 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 23 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 600 L, at least 180 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 80 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 4 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 7.6 to 8.6 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 10 to 20, KH 8 to 15 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Predator Territorial: weak.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 10 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Stripeback Hap is an fish eater that swims in the middle of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.