Deep Water Hap care guide
Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Placidochromis electra ("Deep Water Hap") is a Lake Malawi haplochromine in which adult males display a metallic blue body and head with a contrasting black bar from the eye to the gill cover. Adults reach about 18 cm. The species is found over sandy substrates at deeper levels of the lake.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Placidochromis
- Scientific name: Placidochromis electra
- Common synonyms: Electra
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits sandy bays, sediment-rich flats and the sand-rock interface of the open lake. The water is hard and alkaline (pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15) and warm year round; large adults forage across open sand and through rock outcrops.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (105.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 14-18 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
In the wild a carnivore or specialised feeder depending on species — many haps eat small fish, invertebrates or sift sand for hidden prey. In aquaria a moderate-protein cichlid pellet supplemented with frozen krill, mysis and chopped earthworm maintains condition and colour; vegetable matter is not the main component as it is for mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive but larger than mbuna; best kept in spacious 350+ L tanks with one male and several females, alongside other peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks. Avoid mixing with rock-dwelling mbuna, whose constant aggression suppresses these larger fish, and avoid similar-coloured congeners to prevent hybridisation.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a sand "scrape" or a small territory near a rock, displays his nuptial colours and entices females to spawn; the female collects the eggs into her mouth and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most haps are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern; localised forms with narrow ranges are more vulnerable to environmental change.
Placidochromis electra Breeding Guide
Overview
Placidochromis electra is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs over sandy substrates generally at depths of around 7 m (23 ft); the type material came from Likoma Island. Members of the genus Placidochromis live in the open or sandy regions of the lake. Wikipedia gives a length of 12 cm (4.7 in) SL, while Seriously Fish reports aquarium males to 20 cm and females to 15 cm.
Sexing
Males grow larger and are much more colourful than females, which remain plainer. Dominant breeding males show the brightest sky-blue colour, so the largest, most intensely coloured fish in a group are males.
Conditioning
In the lake the species follows sand-sifting cichlids to pick up invertebrates they stir up. Condition broodstock on small invertebrate-based foods and maintain firm, alkaline rift-lake water; recommended breeding values are pH around 8.0-8.5 and 25-27 C (77-80 F).
Breeding Setup
This species is best kept and spawned as a harem with several females per male. Provide open sand over which the male can excavate a spawning pit, in a tank large enough to accommodate the group and the male's displays.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
Males excavate pits in the sand and spawn there, displaying intense colour and using egg-shaped spots on the anal fin to draw the female into collecting the eggs while the male fertilises them. The female then carries the brood in her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries a brood of up to 50 eggs for around three weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry accept newly hatched brine shrimp or microworm as soon as they are free-swimming and grow on well with frequent small feeds. A brooding female should not be moved, as stress may cause her to spit out or consume the brood prematurely, so a separate, quiet maturation tank is often used once she is carrying.
Common Challenges
Maintaining the stable, hard, alkaline water of Lake Malawi is essential. Because the species naturally occurs over sand at moderate depth and follows sand-sifting cichlids to feed, a peaceful community over open sand suits it and reduces stress that could interrupt spawning. As a maternal mouthbrooder the holding female stops feeding while incubating, so good conditioning beforehand and minimal disturbance during brooding are the keys to success.