TankBud

VC-10 hap

Placidochromis milomo

Also known as Super VC-10, Milomo hap

FreshwaterFish

VC-10 hap (Placidochromis milomo)

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
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

The VC-10 hap is a large, calm, deliberate Malawi cichlid known for its thick, fleshy lips. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The VC-10 hap's hobby name, Super VC-10, comes from a fish trader. The trader thought its quick, evasive swimming recalled the Vickers Super VC-10 jet, which once flew the route between Malawi and London.

Caring for the VC-10 hap

Give a VC-10 hap at least 119 gal (450 L). Build heavy rockwork over sand, and leave open swimming lanes. It moves along the bottom and rockwork, pressing its lips over cracks to feed on the small animals sheltering inside.

Keep the water hard, alkaline and well buffered, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Run strong filtration and keep water quality good. Offer a quality cichlid pellet with frozen foods.

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 it mixes with other robust haps if tank mates are chosen with care. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and spawning it at home is hard.

Good to know

Placidochromis milomo is a slow-growing member of the family Cichlidae. Its 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.

In the wild

The VC-10 hap ranges widely over rocky habitats in Lake Malawi, where it works the stone for food.

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 does a VC-10 hap need?

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

What does a VC-10 hap eat?

A VC-10 hap eats a quality cichlid pellet with frozen foods. It also presses its lips over cracks in the rock to feed on the small animals sheltering inside.

How big does a VC-10 hap get?

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

How does a VC-10 hap breed?

A VC-10 hap is a maternal mouthbrooder. Spawning it at home is hard.

Related species