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Alluaud's Haplo

(Astatoreochromis alluaudi)

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 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Maximum Size: 7"
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons   • Water Conditions: 74-82° F, KH 12-30, pH 7.2-8.6
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Lake Victoria   • Family: Cichlidae
• Species: African Cichlid   • Aquarium Type: African Cichlid, Rift Lake

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Species Information

Alluaud's Haplo native habitat, distribution, behavior & aquarium compatibility.

Alluaud's Haplo (Astatoreochromis alluaudi) is a widely distributed throughout the Lake Victoria basin, where it can be found inhabiting coastal areas of the lake and nearby rivers. Alluaud's Haplo is most commonly found in more shallow waters near the lake or river banks where it lives in and amongst reeds, vegetation and rocky formations.

They spend a good portion of their time looking for small mollusks and crustaceans to prey upon. Alluaud's Haplo is most often found in small groups with a single dominant male and multiple females and sub-adult or submissive males. In the aquarium environment, Alluaud's Haplo can co-exist with other Lake Victorian fish and can also be mixed with African Cichlids from other lakes.

Their temperament is best described as semi-aggressive, which for an African Cichlid makes them quite sociable. They can even be considered shy when not housed in groups or with too little vegetation or aqua-scaping to provide them with a solid sense of security.

Aquarium Care

How to successfully keep Alluaud's Haplo in the home aquarium.

The Alluaud's Haplo will act aggressively towards fish of similar body shape and color perceived to be a threat to their territory, their food supply or attention for their mate. As with other African Cichlids, Alluaud's Haplo prefer an aquarium that has a sandy substrate, some vegetation and plenty of rock formations that provide caves and crevices.

Alluaud's Haplo is a shoreline dwelling species and will appreciate the addition of some grass like plants or similar vegetation in which to inhabit and explore. It is important that hardy robust live plants or similarly shaped fake plants are used so that the fish do not damage them. As this is a very active species, it is best to provide them with an abundance of caves throughout the aquarium.

Alluaud's Haplo do best in groups and should be housed with other species of similar size and temperament in aquariums that are able to provide them with plenty of space to establish territory for themselves.

Feeding & Nutrition

How to properly feed Alluaud's Haplo and provide a healthy diet.

Alluaud's Haplo is an omnivore that feeds primarily upon insects, snails, and mollusks in the wild; however, in the aquarium, this fish can be fed a wide assortment of foods ranging from flake and pellet foods to frozen foods.

Ideally they should be fed a varied diet that consists of both meaty and vegetable matter in flake or pellet foods that they can take from the surface or water column. It is best to feed them as much as they will consume within a few minutes a couple times a day.

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