Haplochromis sp. yellow belly 4 - (Haplochromis sp.) — 4-5cm

Overview

The freshwater fish UK Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' is a striking Ugandan hap cichlid with a bright yellow belly and lively personality. Available for sale UK through Tropical Fish Co, this small, colorful African cichlid is ideal for hard-water aquariums and brings active behavior, vivid color, and fascinating breeding habits to well-maintained setups.

Appearance

Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' reaches just 4–5 cm in length and displays a compact, laterally compressed body with a bright yellow belly and darker upper body. Males develop more intense coloration and may show additional blue or green iridescence on the flanks and fins. The overall appearance is vibrant and eye-catching, especially in well-maintained, hard-water aquariums.

Natural Habitat

This species is endemic to Uganda, East Africa, where it inhabits rocky shorelines, weedy areas, and intermediate zones of lakes with hard, alkaline water. In the wild, Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae, zooplankton, and organic matter. These environments are characterized by high oxygen saturation, stable temperatures, and abundant hiding places among rocks and vegetation.

Aquarium Setup

Provide a well-filtered aquarium of at least 80 litres with rockwork, caves, and hiding places to create territories. Use a sand or fine gravel substrate and arrange décor to provide visual barriers. Strong filtration and excellent water quality are essential. Moderate to bright lighting suits this species well, especially if you wish to observe full coloration.

Water Parameters

Maintain hard, alkaline water between 24–28°C with a pH of 7.0–8.5. Regular partial water changes (30–50% weekly) and excellent filtration are essential to keep water pristine and stable. This species is sensitive to poor water quality and parameter fluctuations, requiring consistent maintenance. Use cichlid salts or buffer to maintain appropriate hardness and pH if necessary.

Feeding

Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' is an omnivore. Offer a varied diet of quality cichlid pellets/flakes supplemented with small frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia. Use bloodworms sparingly, and include some spirulina-based or vegetable matter to support health and coloration. Feed once or twice daily, and remove uneaten food promptly.

Behaviour

This cichlid is semi-aggressive, active, and territorial, especially males during breeding. Males establish small territories and may display aggression toward conspecifics and similar-looking species. Females are generally less aggressive but may become defensive when brooding. Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' is likely a maternal mouthbrooder, with females carrying eggs and fry in their mouths after spawning.

Tank Mates

Ideal companions include other similarly sized East African cichlids, robust non-aggressive fish of similar water requirements, and catfish that can tolerate hard, alkaline water. Avoid small fish, shrimp and other small invertebrates, slow-moving or long-finned fish, and highly aggressive fish larger than this species. Choose tankmates that appreciate similar hard, alkaline conditions.

Breeding

Likely maternal mouthbrooder typical of Haplochromis-type cichlids. Provide stable water conditions, a ratio of one male to several females, and spawning sites or open substrate; females brood eggs and fry in their mouths for 3–4 weeks. Fry are released when free-swimming and can be fed baby brine shrimp and finely crushed foods.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co

At Tropical Fish Co UK, we supply healthy, acclimated Haplochromis sp. 'yellow belly' cichlids carefully selected for size, coloration, and vitality. Every fish is quarantined, inspected, and conditioned before dispatch, ensuring you receive a robust, vibrant specimen ready to thrive in your aquarium. With expert care advice, secure packaging, and a commitment to quality, we make adding this rare and beautiful Ugandan cichlid to your collection straightforward and rewarding. Order today.