Strigatus hap

Dimidiochromis strigatus is a predatory haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it patrols sandy and intermediate zones near reed beds and rocky margins. Growing to around 25 cm, it is an elongated, streamlined ambush predator that feeds on smaller fish and invertebrates, so tankmates must be too large to be swallowed. It is territorial and needs a spacious aquarium of at least 250 litres with open swimming lanes, scattered rockwork for shelter and a soft sandy bottom. Provide the hard, alkaline conditions of the rift lakes: pH around 7.8 to 8.6, high carbonate hardness and warm temperatures of 24 to 28 degrees. Feed a varied carnivorous diet of quality pellets, mysis and other frozen foods, and avoid mammalian meat. Keep only with robust Malawi cichlids of similar size and temperament.