Electric blue hap

The electric blue hap is a stunning Lake Malawi cichlid, the dominant male displaying an intense metallic blue body that makes it one of the most popular haplochromines in the hobby. It inhabits the intermediate and sandy zones of the lake, hunting near rocky outcrops. Water must be warm, hard and alkaline, mirroring the mineral-rich Rift Lake conditions. It is best kept as one male with several females to spread aggression, and mixes reasonably with other robust, similarly sized Malawi cichlids, though it should not be housed with the smaller, more delicate mbuna. A piscivore in nature, it preys on juvenile fish and invertebrates and thrives on quality carnivore pellets, frozen mysis and brine shrimp; avoid vegetable-heavy diets. Provide sand, rockwork with caves, and stable, well-filtered water.