Thereuterion hap

Haplochromis thereuterion

Also known as Snout hunter hap

FreshwaterFish

Thereuterion hap (Haplochromis thereuterion) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 7.0–8.5
Adult size: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Lake Victoria, rocky shores
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

The thereuterion hap is a small, slender, active Lake Victoria cichlid that naturally lives in groups near the surface, so keep several together rather than a single fish. It is relatively peaceful for a haplochromine and mixes well with other robust Victorian cichlids of similar size and speed. It feeds high in the water, hunting small insect larvae, and swims mostly in the open middle and upper levels. Offer small frozen foods, insect-based and colour-enhancing pellets, and flake. A tank of around 200 liters or more suits a group with room to move.

In the wild

This species hunts along wave-washed rocky shores in the south of Lake Victoria, feeding in open water above and around the stone. Give it a tank with rockwork and clear open swimming space, a sandy floor, and good current and oxygen. Victorian rift water is warm and hard-leaning to alkaline, so aim for around 23 to 27 C and pH 7.0 to 8.5.

Good to know

Haplochromis thereuterion is a slender cichlid reaching about 10 centimeters, built for chasing prey rather than grazing. Its name comes from a Greek word for hunter, matching a diet of insect larvae taken near the surface. Like other Lake Victoria haplochromines it is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female holding the eggs and fry in her mouth.

Did you know

It belongs to the flock of small Lake Victoria cichlids hit hard by the introduced Nile perch; many of its relatives vanished, and this insect-hunter is one of the survivors still found along the rocky shores.

Tank mates

Thereuterion hap is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.