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Oxyrhynchus hap

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus

Also known as Sharpnose weed hap, Haplochromis oxyrhynchus

FreshwaterFish

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
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Lake Malawi
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

The oxyrhynchus hap is a sharp-snouted Malawi cichlid that grazes algae from plant beds, best kept singly or as a pair. It works low over sand and among plants and is fairly mild for a Malawi cichlid, but tankmates should still be chosen with care, matching it with settled rift-lake company. Feed algae-based foods along with quality pellets, flake and some frozen items. Give it a tank of at least 450 liters with an open sand floor and, if you are willing, stands of tough plants such as Vallisneria that it can browse. It needs room to swim between the plant beds.

In the wild

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus is endemic to Lake Malawi and found across the lake, on sandy shores grown with beds of Vallisneria. The water is hard and alkaline, so aim for a temperature range of 24–27 C and a pH of 7.5–8.5. Give it a sand floor, open swimming space and, ideally, stands of sturdy plants, recreating the plant-grown sandy bottom where it feeds.

Good to know

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus belongs to the cichlid family and reaches about 20 centimeters. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female brooding eggs and fry in her mouth. Its name, oxyrhynchus, means sharp-snouted, and that pointed head has a job: the fish grazes the algae film off water plants, gripping a leaf and scraping along its length.

Did you know

It 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.

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 do Oxyrhynchus hap need?

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

How big do Oxyrhynchus hap get?

An adult Oxyrhynchus hap reaches about 7.9 in (20 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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