{"product_id":"labidochromis-hongi-sweden-malawi-african-cichlid-small-2-inches","title":"Labidochromis Hongi Sweden Malawi African Cichlid Small 2 Inches","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hongi Sweden is a line-bred form of the Hongi mbuna, selected for a deeper, more saturated blue body, bolder black barring and an intense orange crown and dorsal in males. Females are a softer blue-grey. The wild species comes from the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi, and it suits keepers with an established hard-water cichlid tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 12 cm (5 in); females nearer 9 cm\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, Tanzanian coast; Sweden strain is tank-bred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow rocky shores to about 10 metres depth\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 Omnivorous, mainly vegetable and small invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Spirulina flakes, cichlid pellets, blanched spinach, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Two small feeds daily; limit bloodworm and fatty foods\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 Similar-sized mbuna such as Yellow Labs, Pseudotropheus, Aulonocara in large tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Very large aggressive mbuna, soft-water fish, other Hongi colour forms\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 Mildly aggressive for a mbuna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Dominant male defends a cave firmly; others school loosely\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 Only one male shows full colour; needs stable hard water and rockwork\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 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.5–8.6\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, well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 200 litres for one male with three or more females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sweden strain was developed in captivity from wild Hongi, so keep it away from Red Top and other locality forms to preserve the line. Young fish are plain; the dominant male colours up as the pecking order settles, so buy a group. They are maternal mouthbrooders, breeding readily in a harem with plenty of caves. Avoid soft, acidic water and keep parameters steady, and this selected form rewards you with exceptional colour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680672657785,"sku":"STF-LABIDO-HONGI-SWEDEN","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-LABIDO-HONGI-SWEDEN.png?v=1790097031","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/labidochromis-hongi-sweden-malawi-african-cichlid-small-2-inches","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}