{"product_id":"labidochromis-hongi-labidochromis-sp-hongi","title":"Labidochromis hongi | Labidochromis sp. 'Hongi'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSunset orange over a powder-blue body with a fiery red crown — the Hongi 'Red Top' is one of the prettiest and most manageable Labidochromis mbuna. Full of colour, hardy, and only mildly aggressive by mbuna standards, it is a superb Rift Lake cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis mbuna comes from the rocky shoreline of Lake Malawi around Hongi Island (Hai Reef), grazing aufwuchs from the rocks in hard, alkaline, warm water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales glow pale blue to lilac along the body with a vivid orange-red crown and dorsal, plus the black egg-spots on the anal fin typical of mbuna. Females and juveniles are softer blue-grey. A neat, elongate cichlid to around 10–13 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive, and gentler than many mbuna, but males will spar with their own kind. Keep one male with several females, provide plenty of rock territories, and stock a busy Malawi tank to spread aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore leaning towards aufwuchs and small invertebrates. Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake with spirulina, plus some vegetable matter and occasional meaty treats. Avoid excessive high-protein foods, which mbuna digest poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline, warm water with abundant rockwork and caves over a sandy substrate. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep this active grazer in top colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilised eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Breeding is straightforward in a well-structured Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabidochromis sp. 'Hongi'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHongi Red Top \/ Red Top Hongi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (Hongi Island), Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (mild for mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (aufwuchs-based, vegetable-leaning)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers; Lake Malawi mbuna community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — may nibble soft plants; hardy species like Anubias and Vallisneria suit best\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther moderately robust Malawi mbuna kept in a busy, rock-filled tank — Labidochromis, Pseudotropheus, Cynotilapia and similar, with one male per species where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, shy or slow species, and very aggressive mbuna that will bully it. Do not mix with Tanganyikan or South American soft-water cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232774078755,"sku":"AA2528","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232774111523,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232774144291,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Hongi_Cichlid_Labidochromis_sp._Hongi_4-5cm_27516e44-4703-4bc8-ad38-f02c83d050a3.jpg?v=1781446492","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/labidochromis-hongi-labidochromis-sp-hongi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}