TankBud

Deepwater hap

Placidochromis electra

Also known as Electra, Deep water hap, Likoma hap

FreshwaterFish

Deepwater hap (Placidochromis electra)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–8.6
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Sandy areas near rocks and around Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, East Africa.

Overview

The deepwater hap is a calm Malawi cichlid that suits a peaceful tank with open sand. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The deepwater hap often trails larger sand-sifting cichlids around Lake Malawi. It treats their digging like a moving buffet, snapping up the worms and larvae they dig loose.

Caring for the deepwater hap

Give a group of deepwater haps at least 66 gal (250 L), with an open sand bottom and some rock structure. They keep to the bottom of the tank for most of the day.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 8.6. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods, and let them sift the sand for a natural feeding routine.

Deepwater haps are mostly peaceful and calm for their size. They mix well with peacocks and other gentle haps, but not with aggressive mbuna.

Males glow pale blue with dark vertical bars, while females stay silver. The deepwater hap is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her throat for about three weeks. Breeding it is easy.

Good to know

The deepwater hap is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Its genus, Placidochromis, holds a large number of similar sand and rock dwelling Malawi haps. It also goes by the names electra and Likoma hap.

In the wild

The deepwater hap lives over sand near rocky areas of Lake Malawi in East Africa, especially around Likoma Island. Despite its name, it is not found unusually deep, and it does most of its feeding in the sandy shallows.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The deepwater hap is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a deepwater hap need?

A deepwater hap needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a deepwater hap need?

A deepwater hap is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–8.6.

What does a deepwater hap eat?

A deepwater hap eats sinking pellets and frozen foods. It also sifts the sand, which gives it a natural feeding routine.

How big does a deepwater hap get?

An adult deepwater hap reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How can you tell a male deepwater hap from a female?

Males glow pale blue with dark vertical bars, while females stay silver.

How does a deepwater hap breed?

The deepwater hap is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is easy. The female carries the eggs and fry in her throat for about three weeks.

Related species