Deep Water Hap

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment7–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Bloat (GDV) · Ich (white spot) · Fin rot

The Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) comes from the sandy Likoma Island area of Lake Malawi and reaches about 15 to 18 cm. Both sexes are pale blue with a dark bar behind the operculum, with males adding a yellow-gold face and stronger blue when in condition. Its feeding strategy is opportunistic: it shadows larger sand-sifting cichlids and snaps up the invertebrates they disturb, which is why it is usually the first fish to appear when a substrate is stirred. House a male with three or four females in 350 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 7.8 to 8.6 in hard water, over a sand bed with rock at the edges. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with frozen mysis, cyclops and brine shrimp. Temperament is mild and it is one of the easier large Malawi cichlids to combine, working well with peacocks, borleyi and similarly calm haps. Its one requirement worth honouring is a real sand bed rather than gravel, since sifting and sorting substrate is a normal daily behaviour for the species and a bare or coarse floor leaves it visibly restless.

• How active is a Deep Water Hap?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Deep Water Hap need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Deep Water Hap need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Deep Water Hap a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Deep Water Hap live?

  7–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Deep Water Hap?

  Keep an eye out for Bloat (GDV), Ich (white spot), Fin rot. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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