Fusco hap
Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus
Also known as Spothead hap
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 74 gal
- 280 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The Fusco hap is a predatory Malawi cichlid that hunts over open sand. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The Fusco hap's genus is known for a sneaky hunting trick. The fish lies still on the sand like a dead or dying fish, then lunges when smaller fish drift close to investigate. This lie-and-wait ambush is a clear bit of deception, and it explains the open sandy patches it favors in the lake.
Caring for the Fusco hap
Give a Fusco hap at least 74 gal (280 L), with open swimming room and some rock for shelter. Open sandy areas for hunting matter as much as the rock structure. It hunts near the bottom but uses the middle water too.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed quality pellets and frozen foods such as shrimp or fish-based items, and skip live feeders.
The Fusco hap is an aggressive, predatory cichlid. Do not keep it with small fish, since they read as food. Its tank mates should be other large, sturdy Malawi cichlids, and only one male per tank.
Juveniles and females wear a mottled brown pattern, while mature males turn blue with vertical barring. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, but aquarium breeding is not well documented.
Good to know
The Fusco hap is a large haplochromine cichlid in the family Cichlidae. It is considered stable in the wild for now.
In the wild
The Fusco hap lives in Lake Malawi, in the intermediate zone where sandy floors meet rocky outcrops, about 5 to 50 meters down. The water there is clear, hard and alkaline.
Common questions
What size tank does a Fusco hap need?
A Fusco hap needs at least 74 gal (280 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Fusco hap need?
A Fusco hap is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Fusco hap eat?
A Fusco hap eats quality pellets and frozen foods such as shrimp or fish-based items. Skip live feeders.
How big does a Fusco hap get?
An adult Fusco hap reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
How can you tell a male Fusco hap from a female?
Males turn blue with vertical barring when mature. Juveniles and females wear a mottled brown pattern.
How does a Fusco hap breed?
The Fusco hap is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding it in the aquarium is not well documented.
Related species
9.8 in (25 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Livingston's cichlid
Nimbochromis livingstonii
9.8 in (25 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)
10.2 in (26 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Kaligono
Nimbochromis polystigma
10.2 in (26 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Linn's hap
Nimbochromis linni
9.8 in (25 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Venustus cichlid
Nimbochromis venustus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Anagenys hap
Exochochromis anagenys
9.8 in (25 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Cuban cichlid
Nandopsis tetracanthus
9.8 in (25 cm) · 75 gal (285 L)