{"product_id":"haplochromis-venustus-giraffe-malawi-african-cichlid","title":"Haplochromis Venustus Giraffe Malawi African Cichlid","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Venustus or Giraffe cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus) is a large Lake Malawi predator with a striking giraffe-like blotched pattern; dominant males turn bright blue on the head with a golden-yellow body. Endemic to Lake Malawi, it hunts sandy and rocky shallows by ambush. Suited to keepers with a big Malawi haplochromine or predator tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Up to 25 cm (10 in); males larger and more colourful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–10 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Lake Malawi, endemic and widespread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow rocky and sandy zones with soft substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous, piscivore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Large cichlid pellets, prawn, lancefish, whitebait, mussel, krill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Once daily; avoid mammal meat and feeder goldfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Large Malawi haps, Frontosa, Dimidiochromis, big Synodontis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Anything small enough to eat, mbuna, similar-looking Nimbochromis males\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Predatory but fairly calm with large fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Males territorial when breeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Adult size, heavy waste load and eventual tank space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 24–28°C (75–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.6–8.8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 450 litres for adults; juveniles can start smaller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuyers should plan for a genuinely big fish that will outgrow a standard community aquarium and eat any small tank mate. It is a famous ambush hunter, lying motionless on the sand as if dead before striking, hence its local name meaning 'sleeper'. A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder, but females are prone to spitting broods when stressed. Give it open sand, a few rock caves and strong filtration and it becomes a spectacular showpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"3\"","offer_id":64680659878265,"sku":"STF-HAP-VENUSTUS-3","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4\"","offer_id":64680659911033,"sku":"STF-HAP-VENUSTUS-4","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5\"","offer_id":64680659943801,"sku":"STF-HAP-VENUSTUS-5","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"","offer_id":64680659976569,"sku":"STF-HAP-VENUSTUS-2","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\"","offer_id":64680660009337,"sku":"STF-HAP-VENUSTUS-1","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-HAP-VENUSTUS.png?v=1790096790","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/haplochromis-venustus-giraffe-malawi-african-cichlid","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}