Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: The Hap Compressiceps, also referred to as the Malawi Eye-biter, is endemic throughout Lake Malawi in shallow waters around submerged vegetation. The majority of specimens within the aquarium trade are now commercially produced, however; it is rare to encounter wild imported Hap Compressiceps for sale. This fish is often referred to as a ‘Hap’ because it is within the tribe of African cichlids known as Haplochromines. Female or juvenile male Hap Compressiceps will be silver in color with a dark horizontal line across the middle of the body. An adult male Hap Compressiceps will mature into an incredible light blue color overall, with this coloration intensifying during spawning. Hap Compressiceps are ambush predators of small fish, and therefore a large specimen should not be kept with tank mates that are 5″ or less in length. It’s compressed body shape, in addition to its head-down hunting that includes a very large mouth, allows this fish to camouflage well within beds of Vallisneria plants in the wild. And despite its name, Eye-biter, Hap Compressiceps do not generally go after the eyes of its prey but rather swallows them tail first. Aside from this fishes predatory nature, the Hap Compressiceps is otherwise a relatively peaceful species when kept with appropriate tank mates (i.e., nothing that can be eaten). An adult Hap Compressiceps can reach a size of approximately 10″.

Diet Requirements: Hap Compressiceps are piscivores but they do not require live fish in the aquarium to thrive. In fact, we discourage feeding live fish because they are often of little nutritional value and increase the risk of introducing disease. A diet made up of various high quality proteins are ideal, mainly frozen chunks of shrimp, silverside fish, and beef heart. Hap Compressiceps may accept large sinking pellet foods and flake foods, but these should not make up a large portion of the diet. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small Hap Compressiceps. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard (Nitrates < 30 ppm). The aquarium should be aquascaped with stacked rocks to create hiding spaces and caves, but this species requires a lot of unobstructed and open swimming space. A sandy or fine substrate is preferred and the aquarium needs to be well oxygenated. Water movement should not be excessively strong. African cichlid specific substrates, or even marine Aragonite substrate, are great choices because they will buffer the pH and alkalinity to levels characteristic of Lake Malawi. Hap Compressiceps are compatible with a number of Malawian and Tanganyikan fish, but should not be kept with overly pugnacious species such as Mbunas, or species that can become a meal. Only one male is suggested per aquarium as they can be quite territorial. Recommended water conditions, 74-80° F, KH 10-25, pH 7.5-8.5.

Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2” to 2”, Medium: 2-1/4” to 3”, Large: 3-1/4” to 4”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.