Haplotaxodon (Haplotaxodon microlepis) Care Guide
Haplotaxodon microlepis is a cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. This guide covers its tank requirements, diet, behaviour and breeding.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Haplotaxodon microlepis is a cichlid (family Cichlidae) endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. FishBase gives a maximum of 26.0 cm total length. It is a pelagic planktivore that feeds on zooplankton.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Scientific name: Haplotaxodon microlepis
- Described by: Boulenger, 1906
It has a distinctive upturned mouth adapted for surface and mid-water feeding.
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika across Burundi, the DR Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. Adults occupy open water, alone or in pairs, and sometimes gather in schools near rocky shores.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L (132 gal)
- Adult size: 17-21 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2 (hard, alkaline rift-lake water)
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Recommended group size: 6+ individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
It is a pelagic planktivore that feeds on zooplankton.
Compatibility
Haplotaxodon microlepis is a peaceful species that occupies the upper water layer. In a dedicated Lake Tanganyika community it is typically kept with Cyphotilapia, Cyprichromis, Featherfins. Avoid combining it with Mbuna, Tropheus.
Breeding
Both parents practise biparental mouthbrooding; fry are released at about 2.3 cm by parents measuring roughly 16-18 cm.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Haplotaxodon microlepis Breeding Guide
Overview
Haplotaxodon microlepis is a planktivorous cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, ranging through Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. FishBase records a maximum length of about 26 cm TL and lists the species as Least Concern. It is a pelagic species that roams the open waters of the lake solitary or in pairs, occasionally schooling in coastal waters along rocky coasts, and it feeds on zooplankton. Breeding is by biparental mouthbrooding, in which both parents share oral incubation of the developing young.
Conditioning
As a zooplankton feeder, the species is conditioned on small live and frozen planktonic foods supplemented with suitable prepared diets. Stable, hard alkaline Tanganyikan water on a varied diet supports pair formation and spawning.
Breeding Setup
This is a large open-water fish that needs a roomy tank with ample swimming space and some rocky structure reflecting the coastal areas where it occasionally schools. FishBase gives suitable water as roughly 23-28 degrees C, pH 7.0-8.5 and hardness around 10-15 dH. Because adults are often solitary or paired, a settled pair is the natural breeding unit.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Both parents participate in brooding. After spawning, the developing young are mouthbrooded by both the male and female; FishBase notes brooding parents ranging from about 16.6 to 18.3 cm SL. This biparental oral incubation is unusual among the lake's cichlids and distinguishes the species from purely maternal mouthbrooders.
Egg & Fry Care
Both parents mouthbrood the young until they reach a total length of about 2.34 cm, after which the larvae are released. The shared parental load can extend the protection period for the brood. Released young accept small live and prepared foods scaled to their size.
Common Challenges
The species' large adult size and need for open water make it demanding on space, and a cramped tank inhibits natural pairing and spawning. Its planktivorous feeding requires appropriately small foods. Disturbance to a brooding pair can lead to early release of the young.