{"product_id":"haplochromis-compressiceps-malawi-african-cichlid","title":"Haplochromis Compressiceps Malawi African Cichlid","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimidiochromis compressiceps, the Malawi Eye-Biter, is a laterally flattened ambush predator with a long head, huge mouth and, in mature males, a shimmering metallic blue body with orange-red anal and pelvic fins. Endemic to Lake Malawi, it lurks head-down among Vallisneria beds in the shallows. An impressive predator for experienced keepers with a large hap tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 20–25 cm (8–10 in); females smaller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 7–10 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Lake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow sandy areas with patches of submerged plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous piscivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Prawn, mussel, cockle, lancefish, krill, large cichlid pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Once daily; wean onto dead foods, pellets only as a supplement; feeder fish are not needed and risk disease\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Large haps such as Cyrtocara moorii, Copadichromis, Fossorochromis, Synodontis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Any fish under 12 cm, mbuna, hyperactive tank mates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Predatory but placid with large tank mates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Males become territorial only when spawning, so plenty of cover helps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate to advanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Eats smaller fish, needs a big tank and may refuse dry food at first; stable, well-filtered water is essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 23–28°C (73–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.5–8.8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 300 litres with a 150 cm long footprint; larger for a breeding group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fish will eventually swallow anything that fits its mouth, so plan the community around its adult size from the outset. It is a polygamous maternal mouthbrooder; keep one male with three to six females and a few tall plants or wood for its head-down hunting posture. Despite the fearsome name, it is calm and graceful with suitably sized companions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"3\"","offer_id":64680661418361,"sku":"STF-HAP-COMP-3","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4\"","offer_id":64680661451129,"sku":"STF-HAP-COMP-4","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5\"","offer_id":64680661483897,"sku":"STF-HAP-COMP-5","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"","offer_id":64680661516665,"sku":"STF-HAP-COMP-2","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\"","offer_id":64680661549433,"sku":"STF-HAP-COMP-1","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-HAP-COMP.png?v=1790096793","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/haplochromis-compressiceps-malawi-african-cichlid","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}