Red Top Hongi

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• 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 experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment7–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

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

The Red Top Hongi (Labidochromis sp. Hongi, also sold as Kimpuma Red) comes from Hongi Island in Lake Malawi and reaches about 10 to 12 cm. Males are blue with dark bars and a vivid orange to red dorsal edge, sometimes extending onto the head; females are similar but duller. Like other Labidochromis it picks small invertebrates from the aufwuchs rather than scraping algae wholesale, which makes it a little more tolerant of protein than a true herbivore mbuna. Keep a group of one male to three or four females in 200 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 7.8 to 8.6 in hard water, with rock caves and clear sight lines broken up. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with spirulina content plus occasional frozen mysis or cyclops. Aggression sits in the middle of the mbuna range: pushier than acei or the electric yellow lab, calmer than auratus or kenyi. It works well in a mixed Malawi community of similarly sized fish, and its colour holds year round rather than only in breeding condition, which is not true of every blue mbuna on the shelf.

• How active is a Red Top Hongi?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Red Top Hongi need?

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

• What tank size does a Red Top Hongi need?

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

• Is a Red Top Hongi a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Red Top Hongi live?

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

• What health issues affect the Red Top Hongi?

  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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