TankBud

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
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Victoria, rocky shores

Overview

The Thereuterion hap is a small, active cichlid that swims mostly in the open middle and upper levels. It takes a little more care than a beginner fish.

Did you know

The Thereuterion hap 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.

Caring for the Thereuterion hap

A tank of at least 53 gal (200 L) gives a group of Thereuterion haps room to move. Give them rockwork, clear open swimming space and a sandy floor, with good current and oxygen.

Keep the water warm and hard-leaning to alkaline, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. It feeds high in the water and hunts small insect larvae. Offer small frozen foods, insect-based and color-enhancing pellets, and flake.

The Thereuterion hap naturally lives in groups, 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 is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

The Thereuterion hap, Haplochromis thereuterion, is a slender cichlid built for chasing prey rather than grazing. Its name comes from a Greek word for hunter, matching its diet of insect larvae taken near the surface. It is also known as the snout hunter hap.

In the wild

The Thereuterion hap hunts along wave-washed rocky shores in the south of Lake Victoria. It feeds in open water above and around the stone.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Thereuterion hap is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. 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 Thereuterion hap need?

A Thereuterion hap needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Thereuterion hap need?

A Thereuterion hap is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a Thereuterion hap eat?

A Thereuterion hap eats small frozen foods, insect-based and color-enhancing pellets, and flake. It feeds high in the water, where it hunts small insect larvae.

How big does a Thereuterion hap get?

An adult Thereuterion hap reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

How does a Thereuterion hap breed?

The Thereuterion hap is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Related species