Linn's hap
Nimbochromis linni
Also known as Elephant-nose nimbochromis, Haplochromis linni
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 159 gal (600 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Nimbochromis linni is a patient ambush predator for a very large Malawi tank. Unlike its cousins, which play dead on open sand, it drapes itself over rock with its long snout hanging past the edge and waits for something to swim underneath. Keep one, with tankmates big enough not to register as prey. It grows slowly and lives a long time. Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods on a schedule, and do not feed live fish.
In the wild
Nimbochromis linni hunts in the rocky habitat of Lake Malawi rather than the sand its relatives prefer, using blotched camouflage to break up its outline against stone. Keep it at 24 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 7.5 to 8.5 in hard alkaline water, with large stonework and enough length for a 25 centimeter predator.
Good to know
Nimbochromis linni reaches about 25 centimeters and carries the cloud-blotched pattern the genus is named for, dark patches over a pale ground that shift as the fish changes mood. Its snout is noticeably longer and more decurved than other Nimbochromis, an adaptation for picking prey out from under rock ledges. It is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Did you know
Its famous cousin plays dead on sand; linni just leans over the ledge and lets its face arrive before its body.
Common questions
What size tank does a Linn's hap need?
A Linn's hap needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Linn's hap need?
Linn's hap are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Linn's hap get?
An adult Linn's hap reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Linn's hap?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Linn's hap fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
Add to your site
Show this species on your own site: a shortcode for WordPress, or an HTML embed for anywhere else.
Related species
Fusco Hap
Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatusFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Livingston's cichlid
Nimbochromis livingstoniiFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Kaligono
Nimbochromis polystigmaFreshwater10.2 in (26 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Venustus cichlid
Nimbochromis venustusFreshwater11.8 in (30 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Atromaculatus cichlid
Mesoheros atromaculatusFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Oaxaca vieja
Vieja zonataFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)132 gal (500 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)