{"product_id":"deepwater-hap-placidochromis-electra","title":"Deepwater Hap | Placidochromis electra","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Deepwater Hap, or Electra, is one of Lake Malawi's most elegant cichlids — a crisp powder-blue body cut by a bold dark vertical bar. Reaching around 15 cm, it is notably peaceful for a Malawi hap and stays sociable in a group, making it an ideal centrepiece for a hard-water Rift Lake aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlacidochromis electra is endemic to Lake Malawi, where it lives over the deeper sandy floors near the transition between sand and rock. It follows sand-sifting cichlids and rays, snapping up small invertebrates disturbed from the substrate. The lake is hard, alkaline and very stable, so it needs the same steady, mineral-rich conditions in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA graceful, deep-bodied hap in soft powder-blue, marked with a single strong dark bar behind the head and subtle shimmer across the face and fins. Mature males intensify to a richer blue with metallic highlights, while females and juveniles are a paler silvery-blue. Its clean, understated colouring is much admired.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMild-mannered by Malawi standards — far less aggressive than mbuna, though males will defend a territory from rivals when spawning. It suits a group and mixes well with other similarly peaceful Malawi haps and robust community-friendly Rift Lake fish. It is best not mixed with hyper-aggressive mbuna, which will bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore that naturally feeds on small invertebrates sifted from sand. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis. Avoid overly rich, warm-blooded meats. A soft sandy substrate lets it express its natural sifting behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with 300 L or larger better for a group or mixed hap setup. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard water. Use a soft sand substrate with some rockwork for territory, strong filtration and regular water changes. It is largely plant safe, though plants can be difficult to keep in Rift Lake chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The male displays over open sand, and the female takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth, brooding them for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. She can be moved to a separate tank to brood in peace; the fry are large and easily reared on fine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacidochromis electra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeepwater Hap (Electra)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild (peaceful for a Malawi cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets, frozen and live bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi and hard-water cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (largely)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful Malawi haps such as Copadichromis and Sciaenochromis, peaceful Aulonocara (peacocks), and robust Synodontis catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive mbuna, much larger predatory cichlids, and small soft-water community fish whose needs and size are incompatible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232780271907,"sku":"BA8259-S","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232780304675,"sku":"BA8259","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232780337443,"sku":"BA8259-L","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/deepwater-hap-placidochromis-43879580598563.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/deepwater-hap-placidochromis-electra","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}