Hongi Cichlid
Labidochromis sp. 'Hongi'
Cichlidae
About
Labidochromis sp. 'Hongi' is an undescribed mbuna known only from the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi between Liuli and Undu Reef, including Hongi Island, which gave the fish its trade name. Males show a pale blue to lilac body crossed by dark bars, crowned with an orange-red blaze over the head and dorsal fin, while females remain brownish silver-lilac. It is a moderately aggressive, strongly territorial rock-dweller that lives in harems and breeds readily as a maternal mouthbrooder.
Care
Keep one male with three or more females in at least 250 L over a 120 cm footprint, with sand and tall, stable rockwork full of caves. Hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.4) is essential. Never house two males together, and avoid mixing with similarly patterned mbuna; standard Malawi controlled-overcrowding rules apply.
Diet
Feed primarily vegetarian: spirulina-based flake and mbuna green granules plus blanched greens. Restrict rich animal protein to rare treats to prevent Malawi bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (155)
Avoid (116)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- VentingStrong · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Egg spotsA hint only · from about 6 months
The yellow or orange ocelli on the anal fin of Malawi cichlids, traditionally explained as a lure that draws the female into mouthing them, fertilising the eggs she is already holding.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Hongi Cichlid need?
- A Hongi Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 250 litres (66 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Hongi Cichlid need?
- Hongi Cichlid does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 7.5–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Hongi Cichlid need?
- Hongi Cichlid is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Hongi Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Hongi Cichlid sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.