TankBud

Spothead tyrant hap

Tyrannochromis maculiceps

Also known as Haplochromis maculiceps, Tyrant cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Spothead tyrant hap (Tyrannochromis maculiceps)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
11.6 in
29.5 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The spothead tyrant hap is a large, aggressive ambush predator for a big Malawi tank with heavy rockwork. It suits a keeper with some experience of large cichlids.

Did you know

The spothead tyrant hap's names read like a warning. Tyrannochromis means tyrant cichlid, and maculiceps means spotted head.

Caring for the spothead tyrant hap

Give a spothead tyrant hap a tank of at least 159 gal (600 L), with big rockwork arranged into caves. Leave plenty of open swimming space as well. It spends most of its time near the bottom.

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 quality pellets and frozen meaty foods rather than live feeders.

Keep it singly. It is aggressive and swallows any fish it can fit in its mouth. Choose only robust tank mates large enough to command its respect. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and it is difficult to breed.

Good to know

The spothead tyrant hap is a large predatory cichlid with a freckled face and a wide, hinged mouth built for taking other fish. Some authorities now treat it as a form of the closely related T. macrostoma.

In the wild

The spothead tyrant hap hunts among the large rocks and broken shoreline of Lake Malawi. It ambushes smaller fish from the cover of shadows and crevices.

Common questions

What size tank does a spothead tyrant hap need?

A spothead tyrant hap needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a spothead tyrant hap need?

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

What does a spothead tyrant hap eat?

A spothead tyrant hap eats quality pellets and frozen meaty foods rather than live feeders.

How big does a spothead tyrant hap get?

An adult spothead tyrant hap reaches about 11.6 in (29.5 cm).

How does a spothead tyrant hap breed?

The spothead tyrant hap is a maternal mouthbrooder, and it is difficult to breed.

Related species