{"product_id":"labidochromis-hongi-red-top-malawi-african-cichlid-small-2-inches","title":"Labidochromis Hongi Red Top Malawi African Cichlid Small 2 Inches","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 12 cm (5 in); females nearer 9 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–10 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, Tanzanian coast between Liuli and Undu Reef\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow rocky shores to about 10 metres depth\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 Omnivorous, mainly vegetable and small invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Spirulina flakes, cichlid pellets, blanched spinach, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Two small feeds daily; limit bloodworm and fatty foods\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 Similar-sized mbuna such as Yellow Labs, Pseudotropheus, Synodontis catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Very large aggressive mbuna, soft-water fish, other Hongi colour forms\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 Mildly aggressive for a mbuna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Dominant male defends a cave firmly; others school loosely\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\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Only one male shows full colour; needs stable hard water and rockwork\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 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.5–8.6\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 Moderate, well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 200 litres for one male with three or more females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680672887161,"sku":"STF-LABIDO-HONGI-RED-TOP","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LABIDO-HONGI-RED-TOP.png?v=1790097032","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/labidochromis-hongi-red-top-malawi-african-cichlid-small-2-inches","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}