Christmas fulu
Xystichromis phytophagus
Also known as Haplochromis phytophagus, Christmas hap
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.5
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Easy
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Victoria basin, Lake Kanyaboli
Overview
The Christmas fulu is one of the most popular and widely kept of the Lake Victoria cichlids. It is hardy, adaptable and easy to keep.
Did you know
The Christmas fulu is thought to be extinct in Lake Victoria itself. It was wiped out there along with hundreds of other native cichlids after the Nile perch was introduced. It survives in aquarium breeding programs, which makes the hobby part of its safety net.
Caring for the Christmas fulu
Give the Christmas fulu a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with hardy plants, some rock and open swimming room. It tolerates a planted tank well. Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5, and change it regularly.
It grazes plant matter and algae, so its diet should lean on greens, spirulina and vegetable flake. Add only some meaty food.
Keep a single fish, or a male with a female or two, rather than a large crowd of its own kind. Give the females cover to duck into. It is peaceful for a hap, but males can be pushy while courting, so choose tank mates with a little care.
The Christmas fulu is an easy, productive maternal mouthbrooder and quick to breed. A female typically holds a brood of twenty to thirty-five fry for around eighteen to twenty days.
Good to know
The Christmas fulu, Xystichromis phytophagus, is a member of the family Cichlidae. The species name phytophagus means plant-eater, for a diet built largely on algae and soft vegetation. Breeding males stack red, green and gold, the source of the Christmas name.
In the wild
The Christmas fulu grazes the weedy, vegetated margins of the Lake Victoria basin. It now hangs on mainly in Lake Kanyaboli, a small satellite lake in Kenya's Yala Swamp. That water is warm, hard and alkaline.
Common questions
What size tank does a Christmas fulu need?
A Christmas fulu needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Christmas fulu need?
A Christmas fulu is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.
What does a Christmas fulu eat?
A Christmas fulu grazes plant matter and algae. Its diet should lean on greens, spirulina and vegetable flake, with only some meaty food added.
How big does a Christmas fulu get?
An adult Christmas fulu reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How does a Christmas fulu breed?
A Christmas fulu is an easy, productive maternal mouthbrooder and quick to breed. A female typically holds a brood of twenty to thirty-five fry for around eighteen to twenty days.
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