Hongi Cichlid

The Hongi Cichlid, also called the Red Top Hongi, is not as common as some of the other Africans, but it is one of the most beautiful. Males grow to five inches, and females only grow to three inches. These guys are aggressive but do well with other Mbuna Cichlids like Yellow Labs and Zebras.

NOTE: These fish vary in color. The body is a consistent blue as they mature, but fin highlights vary from orange to red. Pictured here is the top-of-the-line bright red male.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Use a sand or crushed-coral bottom and stack plenty of rockwork with caves and hiding spots so each male can claim a territory and others can escape. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.

Feeding: Mbuna are mostly plant eaters. Feed a vegetable-based flake or pellet once or twice a day, and avoid high-protein foods, which can upset their digestion.

Tankmates: Keep mbuna with other mbuna of similar size and temperament, stocked in a group to spread out aggression. Avoid mixing them with peaceful peacocks and haps unless the tank is large, and avoid closely related species that look alike, which can crossbreed.

Good to know: Mbuna stay calmer when the tank is slightly crowded and well decorated, which keeps any one fish from dominating.