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Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) — Cichlidae

Electric blue hap

Sciaenochromis fryeri
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The electric blue hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species reaches about 12 cm; the dominant males are strikingly bright blue, often with a white fin margin, to which the aquarium name 'electric blue' refers. It inhabits rocky coasts, at depths of about 10 to 40 m. As a fish-eater it hunts small fishes and invertebrates among the rocks. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female protecting the eggs and young in her mouth. Through its intense colour the species is one of the most popular Lake Malawi cichlids in the aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Electric blue hap?

The Electric blue hap has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Very popular aquarium cichlid ('electric blue'); bright blue males; maternal mouthbrooder.

Where does the Electric blue hap live?

The Electric blue hap lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa.

How big does the Electric blue hap get?

The Electric blue hap grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Electric blue hap dangerous to humans?

No, the Electric blue hap is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Electric blue hap edible?

Yes, the Electric blue hap is commonly eaten.

More photos

Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Will Chamblee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) thomaslattinger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — The Evil Spartan (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — NasserHalaweh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Electric blue hap sourced
Scientific name
Sciaenochromis fryeri
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and invertebrates among the rocks sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very popular aquarium cichlid ('electric blue'); bright blue males; maternal mouthbrooder. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sciaenochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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