AFRICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
Genus Haplochromis.
Among the cichlid fishes inhabiting the large lakes of Africa, a significant place is occupied by representatives of the genus Haplochromis (Lake Malawi – over 110, Lake Tanganyika – about 10, Lake Victoria – 104, Lake Edward – 18 species, and more than 20 in the rivers of Africa). Many Haplochromis still have not received a final taxonomic status, with some specialists uniting them into a single genus Haplochromis, while others separate them into distinct genera. However, the question of the species affiliation of many species remains controversial to this day.
In terms of coloration and intricate patterns, unusual shapes, and original habits, Haplochromis can compete with the most interesting representatives of other cichlid ichthyofauna genera of the large African lakes. By lifestyle, most lake Haplochromis belong to schooling migratory species inhabiting sandy, less frequently rocky bottoms in coastal areas rich in aquatic vegetation.
Fish sizes range from 8 to 30 cm (open-water species are somewhat larger). They reach their maximum length thanks to a large aquarium capacity and abundant feeding with a variety of foods. Haplochromis successfully consume all traditional aquarium foods (bloodworms, corethra, tubifex, large daphnia). It is advisable to supplement the fish’s diet with earthworms and fish fry. Good results are obtained by feeding fish with seafood – fish fillets, shrimp, mussel meat, etc.
One should not forget about plant supplements (lettuce, spinach, dandelion leaves, oatmeal); some Haplochromis do not mind feasting on insects falling onto the water surface. It is very important not to overfeed the fish; it is better to give them food in small portions 2-4 times a day. In case of fish malaise, water should be changed more frequently, and salinity should be set at 3-5%. Fish mature at 10-16 months. Hardness 8-20°, pH 7.0-8.6, temperature 22-28°C, aeration, filtration, and water changes.
According to expert estimates, before 1980, over 500 endemic cichlid species inhabited the lake. But the Nile perch (Lates sp.) was released into Lake Victoria — local entrepreneurs needed income, and colonists needed large fish for sport fishing. Before the “perch boom”, there were even species specialized in eating scales and shrimp, species that stole the eggs of other cichlids, and even “cleaning” fish!
Almost all of them died out in the 1980s. Separate species were found until the mid-1990s, after which they also disappeared. Only a few species managed to be preserved in aquarium keeping, many species imported in the 70s and 80s have already disappeared, and it is a great pity, because they no longer exist in nature either. Those sold under the names Haplochromis obliquidens, Neochromis nigricans, Haplochromis CH44, etc., are often hybrids.
— Haplochromis nuchisquamulatus [Hilgendorf, 1888] — Mandarin Haplochromis. Synonym: Ctenochromis, Chromis, Xystichromis nuchisquamulatus. Lake Victoria. 11 cm, females 8 cm. The coloration of the dominant male is red on the upper part of the body from the head to the caudal fin. The flanks in the front part are yellow-orange, green from the anal to the caudal fin. The lower part of the head is blue with orange gill covers and a black stripe through the eye. The belly just above the pelvic fins is black. Pectoral fins are orange. Pelvic fins are long and also black.
The dorsal fin is red with a blue tint in the front part. The anal fin is red, with a narrow blue stripe at the base and decorated with 3 to 10 egg-spots. The caudal fin is red. Females are olive-gray, a dark stripe runs through the eye, and spots and stripes on the body appear and disappear depending on mood and social status. In the aquarium, set up a large piece of driftwood and several stones to form a visual barrier, as well as plants.
— Haplochromis obliquidens [Hilgendorf, 1888] — Rainbow Haplochromis, False Aulonocara. Synonym: Chromis, Ctenochromis, Tilapia obliquidens; Clinodon, Hemitilapia bayoni. (Eng- Obliquidens Hap). Lake Victoria, rocky areas. Males up to 12 cm, females up to 8 cm. Males are colorful, the main body background is golden-green with 8-9 transverse dark stripes, with a red-brown dorsal fin. The lower body is bluish. Fins are wine-red with an aquamarine sheen. Dominant males during the breeding season are very colorful. Females are olive-gray in color (fry are colored similarly).
Color morph: — H. obliquidens “Blue” – Blue Obliquidens. Differences appear in the coloration of males; the blue obliquidens has a slightly smaller eye size and slightly smaller scales. Dominant males have a bright blue coloration of the head, dorsal fin, and flanks. The bright blue or blue dorsal fin has an orange border, and its soft-rayed rear part is dotted with red-orange spots. The caudal fin is colored bright orange or bright red. The anal fin is yellowish-orange with clearly defined, relatively large yellow egg-spots. Females are silver-gray with transparent fins. Both males and females have 6 to 8 dark stripes across the body.
Males are territorial, occupy a large territory, which they aggressively defend. It is better to keep 1 male with two or more females. A pair of fish should have at least 25 liters. It stays in the middle and lower water layers. These fish usually do not need hiding places; they need a large flat stone as a substrate for spawning.
Arrange hiding spots among rocks and caves. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are necessary. Adult fish are omnivorous. Fish grow, color up, and reproduce wonderfully when fed small crustaceans, seafood, and commercial feeds. Spawning is in pairs. They live 4-5 years. dH up to 20°; pH 7.2-8; T 18-28°C.
— Haplochromis perrieri [Pellegrin, 1909]. Synonym: Prognathochromis perrieri, Haplochromis guiarti. Lake Victoria. 8-10 cm. Only one male will have dominant coloration, so keep 1 male and 2-3 females. During the breeding period, the male and female become soot-colored in the lower half of the body and head.
Despite its ominous predatory nature, H. perrieri is suitable for community keeping if it is a sufficiently large aquarium. It digs the substrate when building a nest, often a small depression at the bottom, so it rarely damages plants. Sexual maturity is reached at 10 months. Females incubate eggs and fry in their mouths. T 22-25°C.
— Haplochromis plagiodon [Regan & Trewavas, 1928]. Synonym: Paralabidochromis plagiodon. Lake Victoria. 9 cm. Head light blue with a black vertical line through the eye, and a black spot on the upper edge of the gill cover. The coloration of the lower half of the body ranges from yellow to blue, depending on its mood. Faint black vertical stripes on the sides of the fish.
The anal fin is blue with orange ocelli bordered in black, arranged in two parallel rows. Pelvic fins are light yellow, almost transparent. The caudal fin is red at the end and blue at the base. Females and non-dominant males are yellow-brown with a horizontal stripe.
The dominant male is quite active and chases everyone in his territory, which makes up almost half of the tank. The bottom should have a thick layer of fine gravel and a few stones creating hiding places. They love to dig nests in close proximity to vegetation and rocks! Regular water changes and good biological filtration are necessary. They are fed flakes and granules, frozen and freeze-dried foods in the aquarium, and they also eat snails.
Fertilization takes place in the female’s mouth, and females shelter and avoid the company of other fish for 14 days. Parental care lasts for 10 days, after which the young no longer respond to the mother’s signals. After 4-5 months, young can be sexed, and at 9 months they reach sexual maturity at a length of 5 cm for males, slightly smaller for females. pH 7.6; T 22-25°C.
— Haplochromis sauvagei [Pfeffer, 1896]. Synonyms: Ctenochromis, Ptyochromis sauvagei, fischeri. (Eng- Rock Krib, Half Crimson, Ugandan Blue Rock Krib). Lake Victoria. 10-14 cm, females are smaller. The male has a pronounced checkerboard pattern. During spawning, the anal fin turns purple-red with egg-spots, which are always arranged in a single row along the rear edge of the anal fin. The dorsal fin has a red border. Females have an attractive golden coloration with horizontal stripes.
Only the dominant male has bright coloration, all others have muted colors and sometimes frayed fins. Color morph: — H. sauvagei “Entebbe”; — H. sauvagei “Makobe”; — H. sauvagei “Mwanza Nord”; However, a spawning male drives intruders away only from his territory and does not pursue them outside of it. Can be kept with various Mbuna and Lake Tanganyika cichlids without problems. Regular partial water changes are necessary. Can be fed live food, flakes, and granules. Spawning takes place in a pit dug by the male. T 24-27°C.
Identification: Genus Haplochromis — Haplochromis.
Hemichromis bimaculatus, cerasogaster, cristatus.
Genus Divandu, Genus Etia, Genus Enigmatochromis, Genus Gobiocichla. 
