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Ornate hap

Protomelas ornatus

Also known as Ornate lip hap, Eclectochromis ornatus, Ornatus hap, Haplochromis ornatus

FreshwaterFish

Ornate hap (Protomelas ornatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.6–8.6
Adult size
7.2 in
18.2 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi, endemic

Overview

The ornate hap is a mid-size Malawi cichlid for a large rift-lake community. It takes some experience to keep well.

Did you know

Young ornate haps wear a bold blotched pattern, quite unlike the blue-and-gold adult males. That change, along with a tangled naming history, is why the species has been sold under more than one name.

Caring for the ornate hap

Give ornate haps at least 106 gal (400 L), with an open sand floor, scattered rock and some rocky structure for cover. Leave open swimming space so the group can spread out, since it swims in the middle water.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.6 to 8.6. Feed a varied diet of quality pellets, flake and frozen foods.

Keep a group, usually one male with several females. It is aggressive, and territorial when spawning, so choose tank mates with care. Robust haps and other similar-sized Malawi cichlids suit it, but nothing timid.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The ornate hap, Protomelas ornatus, is a cichlid described by Regan in 1922. It spent years in Eclectochromis, a genus raised for a few thick-lipped Malawi haps. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes follows Konings in returning it to Protomelas, so the two names refer to one fish.

In the wild

The ornate hap is endemic to Lake Malawi and lives along the margins where sand meets rock. The lake water is hard and alkaline.

Common questions

What size tank does an ornate hap need?

An ornate hap needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an ornate hap need?

An ornate hap is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.6–8.6.

What does an ornate hap eat?

An ornate hap eats a varied diet of quality pellets, flake and frozen foods.

How big does an ornate hap get?

An adult ornate hap reaches about 7.2 in (18.2 cm).

How does an ornate hap breed?

The ornate hap is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs, then the fry, in her mouth, and breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Related species