Moderate
Electric Blue Hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri)
24–26°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 300L
£42.99
A striking Lake Victoria cichlid with bold patterning and lively personality, ideal for aquarists who enjoy active African cichlid setups. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 22-26C, pH 7.0-8.5.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Haplochromis polystigma
Max Adult Size
up to 15 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
22–26°C
pH Range
7–8.5
Hardness
8–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
200L
Diet
Omnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Haplochromis polystigma
Polystigma Cichlid (Nimbochromis polystigma)
Moderate Care
Semi-Aggressive
£32.99Sold Out
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Selected fish
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A striking Lake Victoria cichlid with bold patterning and lively personality, ideal for aquarists who enjoy active African cichlid setups. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 22-26C, pH 7.0-8.5.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Haplochromis polystigma
Max Adult Size
up to 15 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
22–26°C
pH Range
7–8.5
Hardness
8–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
200L
Diet
Omnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Full Care Guide
Cichlids: Types, Care & Tank Planning
Cichlids are a family of roughly 1,800 accepted species, not one care type. Before buying, identify the exact species and source, then compare adult measurement, usable tank dimensions, social system, territory, tested water, diet and an exit plan. No family-wide minimum tank, water range or tank-mate list is safe.
14 min readRead guide
Water Parameters
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Temperature
22–26°C
22°CIdeal26°C
pH Level
7–8.5
7Ideal8.5
Water Hardness
8–20 dGH
8 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Overview
Polystigma Cichlid is best treated as Nimbochromis polystigma, the current name for the fish still listed by some suppliers under the older Haplochromis polystigma name. It needs the care plan of a large Lake Malawi predator, with a strong feeding response, territorial behaviour and an adult size that calls for a spacious specialist aquarium.
Choose this fish for a mature Malawi predator or large hap setup, not for a mixed peaceful community. It suits keepers who can provide hard, alkaline water, open swimming room, robust filtration and tank mates large enough not to be viewed as food.
Quick facts
- Scientific name: Nimbochromis polystigma (supplier synonym: Haplochromis polystigma)
- Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa
- Adult size: up to about 23 cm
- Care level: specialist / moderate
- Temperament: predatory, territorial cichlid
- Minimum aquarium: 450 litres for adult long-term care
- Temperature: 23-26°C
- pH: 7.5-8.6
- Diet: carnivorous, mainly fish and meaty foods
Care notes
Keep Polystigma Cichlids in clean, mineral-rich Malawi-style water with a sand base, open swimming lanes and rockwork arranged as visual breaks. The aquarium should be long enough for adult cruising space and heavily filtered enough to keep ammonia and nitrite at zero. Avoid cramped tanks: previous care notes understated the adult size and the space needed.
Tank mates should be other robust Malawi haps or similarly sized cichlids that tolerate the same hard-water conditions. Do not mix with small tetras, guppies, dwarf cichlids, delicate catfish or slow peaceful fish. Juveniles may look manageable, but the stocking plan needs to be based on adult size and adult behaviour.
Feeding
This species is a predator. Offer quality carnivore cichlid pellets as the staple, supported with frozen mysis, krill, mussel, prawn pieces and other suitable meaty foods. Avoid feeder fish and avoid heavy mammal or bird meats. Feed controlled portions and keep the water clean, because large predatory cichlids produce a heavy waste load.
Delivery and guarantee
Orders are packed for livestock transport with insulated packaging and oxygenated bags. We use a licensed live-animal courier and cover eligible orders with our Live Arrival Guarantee, provided the delivery and acclimation steps are followed.
FAQ
Is Polystigma Cichlid suitable for a community tank?
No. It is a predatory Malawi cichlid for large specialist setups with robust tank mates.
Why does the supplier name say Haplochromis polystigma?
That is an older trade synonym. The current accepted name used for care planning is Nimbochromis polystigma.
How large does it get?
Plan for an adult fish around 20-23 cm, with enough tank length and filtration for a large cichlid.
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