TankBud

Electric blue hap

Sciaenochromis fryeri

Also known as Electric blue cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The electric blue hap is a predatory open-water cichlid that holds the middle of the tank and needs room to cruise. It is a sound choice once you have a little experience.

Did you know

The electric blue hap hunts by slipping into rocky crevices after the fry and small fish that other mouthbrooders are sheltering. In the wild, it picks off the young that other species are trying to protect.

Caring for the electric blue hap

Give the electric blue hap a roomy tank of at least 66 gal (250 L). Build rock structures for it to patrol, which also break up territory, and leave open swimming space.

Keep the water warm, hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed quality cichlid pellets with frozen foods such as shrimp. Go easy on rich meaty foods, which can cause bloat.

It is mostly peaceful for a Malawi cichlid, but males get territorial when breeding. Keep it with other Malawi haps of similar size and temperament.

Males turn a bright electric blue, while females stay a plainer silvery gray. The electric blue hap is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can fend for themselves. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The electric blue hap, Sciaenochromis fryeri, is a Malawi cichlid in the family Cichlidae.

In the wild

The electric blue hap lives in Lake Malawi, hunting around rocky shorelines and the open water nearby rather than hiding deep in the rocks. The lake is hard, alkaline and clear, with a high pH.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The electric blue hap is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an electric blue hap need?

An electric blue hap needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an electric blue hap need?

An electric blue hap is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does an electric blue hap eat?

An electric blue hap eats quality cichlid pellets with frozen foods such as shrimp. Rich meaty foods can cause bloat, so keep them to a minimum.

How big does an electric blue hap get?

An adult electric blue hap reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How can you tell a male electric blue hap from a female?

Males color up a bright electric blue. Females stay a plainer silvery gray.

How does an electric blue hap breed?

Electric blue haps are maternal mouthbrooders. The female keeps the eggs and then the fry in her mouth until they can look after themselves. Breeding them is a moderate challenge.

Related species