Giant Haplochromis

Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus

Scraping algae from plant leaves

Tropical
Local endemic species
Restricted distribution
Freshwater fish
Africa
Medium
Tropical fish

The giant haplochromis (Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus) is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe, preferring areas with sandy substrates and Vallisneria patches. It is an algae eater, obtaining its food by scraping it from the leaves of aquatic plants. This species grows to a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. This fish can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Hemitilapia
Maximum length: 20 cm
Water: Freshwater
Distribution: Africa: Endemic and occurring throughout Lake Malawi.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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