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Yellow Hap

Buccochromis rhoadesii

Freshwater Lake Malawi, Africa Usually captive bred

A massive, deep-bodied Malawian cichlid renowned for its brilliant yellow and blue breeding coloration. In nature, it uses specialized sandy ambush techniques to hunt smaller prey. Keepers must provide a deep sand substrate and a cavernous tank alongside robust open-water companions of similar large proportions.

32 cm adult length, drawn to scale. deep body.

Outgrows a typical home tank. Check this fish against the adult size above before buying a juvenile. The minimum shown is the least it is kept in for good, not a comfortable size.

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

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 32 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 120 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 7.8 to 8.6 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 10 to 20, KH 8 to 14 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 Near the bottom 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

Yellow Hap is an carnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand. 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.