TankBud

Chameleon hap

Protomelas annectens

Also known as Haplochromis annectens, Annectens hap

FreshwaterFish

Chameleon hap (Protomelas annectens)
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
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The chameleon hap is a mild Lake Malawi cichlid for a big tank with a sand floor. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

A chameleon hap in a tank shadows the other fish. Once it works out where the food comes from, it starts shadowing you.

Caring for the chameleon hap

Give a chameleon hap at least 119 gal (450 L), with a deep sand bed and open swimming room. Choose a long tank, since an adult needs length to cruise.

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5, and hold it steady. It is not a fussy eater, so feed a varied diet of granules and frozen foods.

Keep a single fish in a large Malawi community. It is mild for its size and belongs with other haps and peacocks rather than mbuna. Males hold no permanent territory in the lake, which is part of why it stays fairly peaceful in a roomy tank. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The chameleon hap, Protomelas annectens, is a member of the family Cichlidae. It changes pattern quickly, which gives it its trade name. It bars up, blanches or flushes dark as its mood and surroundings shift.

In the wild

The chameleon hap ranges over sand and intermediate zones throughout Lake Malawi. It trails sand-sifting cichlids there and feeds on what their digging stirs up. Malawi water is hard, alkaline and stable.

Common questions

What size tank does a chameleon hap need?

A chameleon hap needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a chameleon hap need?

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

What does a chameleon hap eat?

A chameleon hap is not a fussy eater. Feed it a varied diet of granules and frozen foods.

How big does a chameleon hap get?

An adult chameleon hap reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a chameleon hap breed?

The chameleon hap is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species