Hap CH44 Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Hap CH44 is an attractive, robust Lake Victoria cichlid traded as Haplochromis sp. 'Thick Skin'. Mature males develop richer blue and metallic coloration, often complemented by warm yellow, orange or red tones in the fins and body, while females are generally smaller and more subdued in colour. Exact patterning can vary between collecting locations and commercial strains.

This is an active, confident haplochromine with the assertive personality typical of many Victorian cichlids. Males defend territories and display to females, particularly when in breeding condition, but their behaviour is usually best described as territorial rather than relentlessly aggressive when the aquarium is suitably spacious.

In nature, Lake Victoria haps inhabit a variety of shoreline environments, including rocky edges, sand patches and areas with aquatic vegetation. Their thick-set body and powerful jaws reflect a generalist predatory lifestyle, allowing them to search across the lake bed and among cover for small animal prey.

The name 'Thick Skin' is a trade designation rather than a formally established species name. As with many Victorian haplochromines, identification and colour can be variable in the aquarium trade, so specimens should be obtained from a reputable source with clear locality or breeding-line information.

Hap CH44, sold under the trade name Haplochromis sp. 'Thick Skin', is a Lake Victoria haplochromine from East Africa. It is associated with rocky and mixed shoreline habitats around the Lake Victoria basin, including waters of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

A group of Hap CH44 should have at least 250 litres, with a footprint of roughly 120 cm by 45 cm; a larger aquarium is preferable for a mature male and several females or for a community of Victorian cichlids. Use a fine sand or smooth-grained substrate, arrange limestone or other aquarium-safe rockwork into broken territories, and leave open swimming space along the front. Secure all rocks directly on the tank base before adding substrate, and provide caves or visual barriers so subordinate fish can retreat. Strong filtration, good oxygenation and regular maintenance are important in this active, messy-feeding cichlid aquarium.

Males can reach about 15 cm (6 inches), while females are usually smaller at approximately 10–12 cm (4–4.7 inches).

Hap CH44 is an omnivorous to carnivorous predator that benefits from a varied diet based on high-quality cichlid pellets and granules. Supplement these with frozen or live foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, daphnia and finely chopped krill. Feed modest portions once or twice daily, removing uneaten food, and avoid making fatty mammalian or terrestrial animal foods part of the diet.

Keep Hap CH44 with similarly sized, robust Lake Victoria cichlids that have comparable water requirements and temperaments. Suitable companions may include compatible Astatotilapia and other non-hyperaggressive Victorian haplochromines, provided the aquarium is large enough and territories are arranged carefully. Avoid tiny peaceful fish, long-finned community species and excessively aggressive cichlids. Do not mix it with closely related fish likely to hybridise, and avoid combining males and females from different Victorian species when maintaining pure breeding lines.

Hap CH44 is a maternal mouthbrooder. Use one male with several females and provide stable, alkaline water with flat rocks or open areas where courtship can take place. After spawning, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. She can be left to release the fry naturally or carefully stripped by an experienced aquarist; offer the young finely crushed flakes, powdered cichlid food and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Males are larger and much more vividly coloured, commonly developing blue or metallic body tones with contrasting warm colours in the fins. Females remain smaller and are usually silver-grey, tan or brownish with less intense patterning; mature males may also show more elongated fins and stronger territorial behaviour.