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Malawi thick-lip

Cheilochromis euchilus

Also known as Big-lipped hap, Haplochromis euchilus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F (24–27°C)
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
13.8 in (35 cm)
Minimum tank
159 gal (600 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Lake Malawi
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

A big, gentle Malawi hap with oversized rubbery lips. It does not need its own kind around, so keep it singly or mixed in with other large, civil haps rather than in a crowd of its own species. It works the bottom, pressing its face into rock crevices to feed. Despite its size it is fairly peaceful, but its tankmates should be large enough not to be bullied or swallowed, so choose them with care. Feed meaty sinking foods. A fish this size needs 600 liters or more with big rockwork.

In the wild

Cheilochromis euchilus lives along inshore rocky areas all around Lake Malawi, feeding by sealing its thick lips against the stone. Set up a tank with a sand floor and large, stable rock structures full of cracks and crevices for it to investigate. Keep the water hard and alkaline as the lake requires, warm at 24 to 27 C with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5, and provide strong filtration to keep a big fish in clean, well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

This species belongs to the Cichlidae and reaches about 35 centimeters. Its swollen lips form a seal against rock so it can suck out the small invertebrates hiding in the cracks. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it in captivity is hard. The lips are a working tool, tied directly to how it feeds in the wild.

Did you know

The thick lips are less pronounced on tank-raised fish. In the lake they develop through constant contact with rough rock while crack-feeding, so without that daily wear and use the lips grow smaller than they do on wild adults.

Common questions

What size tank does a Malawi thick-lip need?

A Malawi thick-lip needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Malawi thick-lip need?

Malawi thick-lip are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

How big do Malawi thick-lip get?

An adult Malawi thick-lip reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Cichlids · Bottom dwellers

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