Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: The Red Top Hongi Cichlid are endemic to rocky areas of Lake Malawi around Hongi Island. Given this specific habitat niche, Red top hongi require a network of rock caves and hiding places in the aquarium. One of the more aggressive Labidochromis African cichlids, Red top hongi may be referred to as a ‘mbuna’, which is a general term to characterize various Malawian cichlid species that share a similar body shape and belligerent temperament. Red top hongi are relatively easy to care for but their territorial nature may make them best left to the more advanced aquarist. Juveniles and females of this species will have a tanish body with subtle stripes. Adult males, on the other hand, will have a light blue body with pale stripes and a bright yellow-orange dorsal fin that fades into the top of the body. Red top hongi should be kept in an overcrowded tank with other like-temperamented heterospecific fish to spread out or reduce aggression. Ideally, only one male is kept per aquarium. Females do not exhibit nearly as aggressive of behavior as males. An adult Red top hongi can reach a size of approximately 6″, with females averaging smaller.

Diet Requirements: Red top hongi are omnivorous. Various high quality protein and vegetable based flake foods and sinking pellet foods are ideal. Frozen foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, mysis shrimp or other freshwater mixes are good choices. Those with spirulina added are a plus. 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 single Red top hongi. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard (Nitrates < 30 ppm). The aquarium should be aquascaped generously with stacked rocks to create many hiding spaces and caves. Red top hongi are indifferent to open swimming space because this is an area in which they rarely explore in the wild. A sandy or fine substrate is preferred and the aquarium needs to be well oxygenated. 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. Red top hongi will do well with other pugnacious Malawian cichlids; avoid more “peaceful” species, such as peacocks. Recommended water conditions, 74-80° F, KH 10-25, pH 7.5-8.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-1/2” to 2”

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