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VC-10 hap

Placidochromis milomo

Also known as Super VC-10, Milomo hap

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F (24–27°C)
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
9.1 in (23 cm)
Minimum tank
119 gal (450 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Lake Malawi
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

The VC-10 hap is a large, calm, deliberate Malawi cichlid famous for its thick fleshy lips. Keep a single male, or a male with one or two females, and do not house two males together; despite its size it is fairly peaceful and mixes with other robust haps if tankmates are chosen with care. It moves along the bottom and rockwork, pressing its lips over cracks to feed. Offer a quality cichlid pellet with frozen foods. It is a slow-growing showpiece worth the space it asks for, so give it a tank of around 450 liters or more.

In the wild

This species ranges widely over rocky habitats in Lake Malawi, working the stone for food. Recreate that with heavy rockwork over sand, open swimming lanes, and hard, alkaline water. Keep it warm and well buffered, around 24 to 27 C and pH 7.5 to 8.5, with strong filtration and good water quality.

Good to know

Placidochromis milomo is a cichlid reaching around 20 centimeters, with thick, fleshy lips it presses against rock crevices to feed on the small animals sheltering inside. The species name milomo means lips in the Chewa language. Wild fish develop far thicker lips than tank-raised ones, since constant contact with rock builds them up. It is a maternal mouthbrooder that is not easy to spawn at home.

Did you know

Its hobby name, Super VC-10, comes from a fish trader who thought its quick, evasive swimming recalled the Vickers Super VC-10 jet that once flew the route between Malawi and London.

Common questions

What size tank does a VC-10 hap need?

A VC-10 hap needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do VC-10 hap need?

VC-10 hap are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

How big do VC-10 hap get?

An adult VC-10 hap reaches about 9.1 in (23 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Cichlids · Bottom dwellers

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