Tanzania Sunset Hap care guide
Tanzania Sunset Hap (Protomelas spilonotus) — minimum tank 500 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Protomelas spilonotus is one of the larger Protomelas, reaching about 22 cm. Adult males display a metallic blue head and body crossed by dark vertical bars. The species is widespread across the rocky shores of Lake Malawi.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Protomelas
- Scientific name: Protomelas spilonotus
- Common synonyms: Liuli, Mara Rocks
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: 500 L (132.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 18-22 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.
Protomelas spilonotus Breeding Guide
Overview
Protomelas spilonotus is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in areas with clean, rocky substrates and represented in the hobby by colour forms such as the Tanzania (Liuli) and Mara Rocks morphs. It reaches a length of 16.7 cm (6.6 in) TL. The genus Protomelas contains 16 recognised species and shows the maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism typical of the group.
Sexing
Sexual dimorphism is marked: males grow larger and become much more colourful, while females are silvery and plain. Dominant males in breeding condition are the most strongly coloured fish in the group, making them straightforward to pick out.
Conditioning
Condition broodstock on a varied diet and stable rift-lake water. Firm, alkaline, mineral-rich conditions matching Lake Malawi support both general health and readiness to spawn. The species is found in areas with clean, rocky substrates, so a breeding group settles best when given rockwork alongside the open sand used for spawning. Because distinct colour forms such as the Tanzania (Liuli) and Mara Rocks morphs exist, only fish of the same form should be bred together to keep a line true.
Breeding Setup
The species follows the typical harem system of mouthbrooding cichlids: a dominant male holds a small breeding territory and females enter it to spawn. Keep one male with several females in a large tank with open sand and rockwork so the male's pursuits are divided among the group.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
The male chooses a spot in the sand; when the female is ready she lays one or a few eggs, the pair turn and the male fertilises them, and the female takes them into her mouth, repeating the cycle until the clutch is collected. A female may lay between 24 and 40 eggs per brood.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs hatch within a few days, and the fry remain in the mother's mouth until they can swim independently, usually around 21 days after the eggs are laid. The female should not be disturbed during brooding, as stress can cause premature release of the brood.
Common Challenges
As with other large Protomelas, male aggression during courtship is the main difficulty and is managed with the harem approach. Holding females stop feeding while brooding, so condition them well beforehand to avoid loss of condition.