Snail-crusher hap
Chilotilapia rhoadesii
Also known as Rhoadesii, Chilotilapia
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 8.9 in (22.5 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
- Common
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Chilotilapia rhoadesii is peaceful with other fish and ruinous for snails, which is the whole reason to keep one. Its jaws are built to crush shells, so feed it hard foods, snails, mussel and a firm pellet, and do not expect a Melanoides population to survive it. Keep a single fish, or a male with females, in a long tank with a sand floor and open room. It mixes well with other large haps.
In the wild
Chilotilapia rhoadesii works weedy sand in Lake Malawi, picking up snails, crushing them whole and spitting out the shell fragments. Keep it at 24 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 7.5 to 8.5 in hard alkaline water, over sand with room to move.
Good to know
Chilotilapia rhoadesii reaches about 22.5 centimeters. Males turn blue-black with a metallic sheen across the head when mature, while the pharyngeal jaws stay heavy and molar-toothed throughout life, the machinery that shells Melanoides. It is the only species in its genus, and a maternal mouthbrooder.
Did you know
It shells a snail in one motion, crush and spit, keeping the meat and raining the shrapnel.
Common questions
What size tank does a Snail-crusher hap need?
A Snail-crusher hap needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Snail-crusher hap need?
Snail-crusher hap are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Snail-crusher hap get?
An adult Snail-crusher hap reaches about 8.9 in (22.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
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