Blue and yellow hap
Protomelas spilonotus
Also known as Sulphur head, Sulphurhead hap, Sulfurhead hap, Sulphur crest, Spilonotus hap, Haplochromis spilonotus
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 8.7 in (22 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal (450 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is a large, comparatively peaceful Malawi hap for a spacious display of similar cichlids. Keep a single male, or a male with one or two females, and do not house two mature males together, since they will not tolerate each other. Choose tankmates with care: robust haps and peacocks of similar size work, but small or timid fish do not. It swims mostly in the open middle water above the rocks. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with frozen foods, and hold back on excess protein. A tank of around 450 liters or more gives it the length it needs.
In the wild
The blue and yellow hap is endemic to Lake Malawi, where mature males patrol rocky reefs and the sandy margins between them. Build the tank around piles of stone with open swimming lanes, over a sandy floor. Malawi water is hard and alkaline, so keep it warm and buffered, around 24 to 27 C and pH 7.5 to 8.5, with strong filtration and good water quality.
Good to know
Protomelas spilonotus is a cichlid of Lake Malawi that grows to around 20 centimeters, with males larger than females. Dull as juveniles, mature males develop the sulphur-yellow blaze over the head and back, laid over a deep blue body, that gives the fish its common names. Like all Malawi haplochromines it is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female carrying eggs and fry in her mouth; spawning it in the home tank takes a settled group and some patience.
Did you know
The bright colour is tied to status and maturity: young fish and females stay plain, and a male only pours on the yellow blaze once he is grown and holding good territory among the rocks.
Common questions
What size tank does a Blue and yellow hap need?
A Blue and yellow hap needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Blue and yellow hap need?
Blue and yellow hap are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Blue and yellow hap get?
An adult Blue and yellow hap reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
Where to buy
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Appears in
Keeping Blue and yellow hap?
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