TankBud

Anagenys hap

Exochochromis anagenys

Also known as Malawi torpedo hap, Three-spot torpedo

FreshwaterFish

Anagenys hap (Exochochromis anagenys)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The Anagenys hap is a large, predatory open-water cichlid from Lake Malawi, and it needs a very big tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The Anagenys hap is a rare pursuit hunter among the mostly rock-bound cichlids of Lake Malawi. Its slim, muscular shape lets it accelerate hard across open water to catch small fish.

Caring for the Anagenys hap

Give an Anagenys hap at least 159 gal (600 L), with long, open swimming lanes. It grows big and swims hard, so uninterrupted length matters most. Use a sandy floor with some rock structure at the edges, and leave the middle of the tank clear for it to cruise.

The water should be hard and alkaline, the standard rift-lake setup. Hold it at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed meaty foods such as prawn and mussel, along with quality cichlid pellets, and do not rely on live feeders.

The Anagenys hap is not a group fish, so keep one specimen rather than several. It is aggressive and predatory, and it hunts smaller fish, so skip anything small enough to swallow. Its tank mates should be other large, robust Malawi cichlids, too big to be eaten and able to handle a bold neighbor. Choose them with caution.

Like other Malawi haps, it is a maternal mouthbrooder. It is considered hard to breed.

Good to know

The Anagenys hap is the only species in its genus, Exochochromis, within the cichlid family, Cichlidae. The hobby knows it as the three-spot torpedo, for its streamlined, torpedo shape and the row of dark blotches along its side.

In the wild

The Anagenys hap lives in Lake Malawi. It ranges over open water above mixed rock and sand, rather than hiding in the rocks.

Common questions

What size tank does an Anagenys hap need?

An Anagenys hap needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Anagenys hap need?

An Anagenys hap is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does an Anagenys hap eat?

An Anagenys hap is a predator that eats meaty foods such as prawn and mussel, along with quality cichlid pellets. Do not rely on live feeders.

How big does an Anagenys hap get?

An adult Anagenys hap reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

How does an Anagenys hap breed?

An Anagenys hap is a maternal mouthbrooder, like other Malawi haps. It is considered hard to breed.

Related species