{"product_id":"malawi-hawk-aristochromis-christyi","title":"Malawi Hawk | Aristochromis christyi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSloped forehead, hooked snout and the unmistakable air of a hunter — the Malawi Hawk is a sleek, open-water piscivore that patrols the rocks in search of prey. It's a dramatic, intelligent predator that grows large, to around 30 cm, and is strictly one for the big-tank keeper who can house it with equally sizeable companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, this species hunts along the rocky and intermediate zones, ambushing small mbuna from among the boulders. The lake water is hard, alkaline and very stable, and the Hawk is built for open-water pursuit and quick strikes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elongated, streamlined cichlid with a distinctive downward-sloping head and large mouth. Dominant males develop blue faces and flanks washed with orange and yellow, while females and juveniles are more muted and blotched. Adults reach roughly 30 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA predator, plain and simple: it will eat any fish small enough to fit in its capacious mouth. It is not especially aggressive towards similarly large tankmates, but must only be kept with robust fish it cannot swallow. Provide open swimming space and rockwork for it to patrol.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore requiring a protein-rich diet. Offer quality carnivore pellets or sticks as a staple, supplemented with frozen or fresh meaty foods such as prawn, fish fillet, krill and earthworm. Do not use live feeder fish, which carry disease risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeeds a very large tank at least 180 cm long with a sandy base, sturdy rock piles and plenty of open water. Provide hard, alkaline water, powerful filtration and large, frequent water changes to cope with its size and messy feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing the young. Its size means breeding is only practical in very large systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAristochromis christyi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalawi Hawk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory; large-tank species\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\u003e450 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (piscivore; meaty foods)\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\u003e10–18 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\u003eExperienced keepers with very large Lake Malawi tanks\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\u003eGenerally — but may disturb décor and plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large Lake Malawi haps such as \u003cem\u003eDimidiochromis compressiceps\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFossorochromis\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eChampsochromis\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eNimbochromis\u003c\/em\u003e species — robust fish it cannot eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny small or medium fish that will be eaten, mbuna that may harass it, and delicate community species. Avoid soft, acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232781058339,"sku":null,"price":76.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232781091107,"sku":"AA3549","price":86.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232781123875,"sku":null,"price":96.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351958143267,"sku":null,"price":106.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Malawi_Hawk_d8aec368-0f39-4a44-b49a-e31820e10fed.jpg?v=1781446495","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/malawi-hawk-aristochromis-christyi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}