Hemitilapia Oxyrhynchus

Hemitilapia Oxyrhynchus Haplochromine are cichlids from Lake Malawi located in Africa. All Haplochromis are mouthbrooders, females keep fertilized eggs in their mouth for 3+ weeks for full development. Heads and tails develop approx. 4-5+ days mouthbrooding the eggs. Only males show bright beautiful colors, females are a silvery color with some barring. Looking close females may show a hint of color in the face or other parts of the body matching the males’ colors. Hemitilapia Oxyrhynchus Haplochromine are easy to keep in clean freshwater 40 gal & up, 78F PH 7.2-8.6 hard water. Although a variety of foods are suitable, excess feeding can cause specimens to reach extra-large sizes not common in the wild. I use small feedings of my CaliforniaCichlids.com Spirulina Flakes & Color Enhancing Pellets for uniform growth and amazing coloration. Average mature adult size is 6″-8″ for males with females 1″-2″ smaller. Male coloration begins approx. 3″ & breeding begins 4″ size; spawns can range 12 to 36+ eggs depending on size of female.