Labidochromis Hongi Red Top Malawi African Cichlid Small 2 Inches
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Hongi Red Top is a compact Malawi mbuna whose dominant males show a lavender-blue body, dark bars and a fiery orange-red dorsal and forehead. Females and subordinate fish stay a paler blue-grey. Endemic to the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi around Hongi Island, it suits keepers with an established hard-water cichlid tank.
- Adult Size: Around 12 cm (5 in); females nearer 9 cm
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi, Tanzanian coast between Liuli and Undu Reef
- Habitat: Shallow rocky shores to about 10 metres depth
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, mainly vegetable and small invertebrates
- Preferred Foods: Spirulina flakes, cichlid pellets, blanched spinach, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis
- Feeding Habits: Two small feeds daily; limit bloodworm and fatty foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Similar-sized mbuna such as Yellow Labs, Pseudotropheus, Synodontis catfish
- Avoid: Very large aggressive mbuna, soft-water fish, other Hongi colour forms
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Mildly aggressive for a mbuna
- Territoriality: Dominant male defends a cave firmly; others school loosely
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Only one male shows full colour; needs stable hard water and rockwork
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
- pH: 7.5–8.6
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate, well oxygenated
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres for one male with three or more females
Final Notes
Juveniles look plain and only the dominant male develops the full red top, so buy a group and let the hierarchy form. Hongi are maternal mouthbrooders, easily bred in a harem of one male to several females with plenty of caves. Never keep them in soft, acidic water, and keep Red Top and Sweden lines apart to protect the strain. A settled male is among the most striking fish in the lake.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.