TankBud

Oxyrhynchus hap

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus

Also known as Sharpnose weed hap, Haplochromis oxyrhynchus

FreshwaterFish

Oxyrhynchus hap (Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The Oxyrhynchus hap is a sharp-snouted algae grazer, and fairly mild for a Malawi cichlid. It suits an intermediate keeper.

Did you know

The Oxyrhynchus hap is one of very few Lake Malawi cichlids tied to plant beds. It feeds by taking a Vallisneria leaf in its mouth and working along it, stripping off the coat of algae as it goes.

Caring for the Oxyrhynchus hap

Give an Oxyrhynchus hap at least 119 gal (450 L), with an open sand floor and room to swim between the plant beds. If you are willing, add stands of tough plants such as Vallisneria that it can browse.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed algae-based foods along with quality pellets, flake and some frozen items.

Keep it singly or as a pair. It works low over sand and among plants. It is mostly peaceful, but choose tank mates with care and match it with settled rift-lake company.

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

Good to know

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus belongs to the cichlid family, Cichlidae. Its name, oxyrhynchus, means sharp-snouted, and that pointed head is what it grazes with.

In the wild

The Oxyrhynchus hap is endemic to Lake Malawi and found across the lake, on sandy shores grown with beds of Vallisneria. The lake water is hard and alkaline.

Common questions

What size tank does an Oxyrhynchus hap need?

An Oxyrhynchus hap needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Oxyrhynchus hap need?

An Oxyrhynchus hap is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does an Oxyrhynchus hap eat?

An Oxyrhynchus hap eats algae-based foods, along with quality pellets, flake and some frozen items.

How big does an Oxyrhynchus hap get?

An adult Oxyrhynchus hap reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does an Oxyrhynchus hap breed?

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

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