Four-spot otopharynx
Otopharynx tetrastigma
Also known as Tetrastigma hap
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 6.3 in
- 16 cm
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal
- 300 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi and satellite waters
Overview
The four-spot otopharynx is a mostly peaceful hap that sifts the sand near the bottom of the tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
The four-spot otopharynx shows up with four spots in a lake that files its fish by three. The namers immortalized that off-by-one.
Caring for the four-spot otopharynx
Give four-spot otopharynx at least 79 gal (300 L), with a soft sand bed fine enough for them to take into their mouths. They snuffle through the sand for invertebrates. They largely leave plants alone, so this is one of the few Malawi cichlids that suits a lightly planted setup.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Give them some plant cover and quiet flow. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods.
Keep one male with two or more females. The four-spot otopharynx is easygoing and mixes well with other calm haps and peacocks. It is a maternal mouthbrooder and spawns readily for a hap.
Good to know
The four-spot otopharynx is named for its four dark blotches spaced along the flank, one more than the genus usually carries. Males develop blue over the head and a yellow-orange wash through the fins when in condition.
In the wild
Otopharynx tetrastigma lives in sheltered, weedy bays of Lake Malawi and in the satellite lakes and rivers around it. It stays over sand among vegetation rather than out on open shelves.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The four-spot otopharynx is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Common questions
What size tank does a four-spot otopharynx need?
A four-spot otopharynx needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a four-spot otopharynx need?
A four-spot otopharynx is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a four-spot otopharynx eat?
A four-spot otopharynx eats sinking granules and frozen foods. It also snuffles through the sand for invertebrates.
How big does a four-spot otopharynx get?
An adult four-spot otopharynx reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).
How does a four-spot otopharynx breed?
The four-spot otopharynx is a maternal mouthbrooder, and it spawns readily for a hap.
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