Thick Skin Cichlid
Haplochromis sp. 44
The Haplochromis sp. 44 (commercially known as 'Thick Skin' for the strange and robust conformation of its lips for biting) is one of the most fearless, ruthless and infamous predators of Lake Victoria. Under its deceptively stocky and short appearance (it reaches 10-12 cm / 4-5 inches), the male hides a livery of explosive beauty, with a greenish-yellow body surmounted by a blood red or bright orange belly and fins adorned with huge blinding yellow ocelli (fake eggs). Its notoriety, however, is due to its temperament: the sp. 44 is commonly described as a true "aquatic plague". Although small, it is an irreducible brawler, capable of killing or severely mutilating its peers and of subduing fish twice its size, demanding an expert breeder in the management of hyper-violent hierarchies.
Water Temperature
24 - 28 °C
pH Value
7.5 - 8.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
12 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 250 L
Minimum group
>= 5
GH
10 - 20 dGH
KH
5 - 10 dKH
TDS
200 - 400 ppm
Conductivity
313 - 625 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Lake Victoria. It is a "littoral zone" species that populates the shallow rocky bottoms rich in debris, rarely venturing into the open water.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Haplochromis sp. "44" (Thick Skin). It is a provisionally classified species (hence the number 44) and is considered one of the most brutal and well-known representatives of Victorian cichlids. Grows up to 12 cm (4.7 inches).
Social Behavior: Fierce, sociopathic and relentless. SP-44 males are proverbial for their unprecedented territorial hyper-aggressiveness. They will kill rivals and stress females to death if space is insufficient. Requires calculated over-stocking to dilute the violence.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Chromatically explosive. Dominant males have a bright green-gold back and the belly, including the lips, is brick red or blood orange, crossed by dark vertical bands. Females are dull, of a modest uniform olive-sand color.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Do not try under 300 liters (120 cm / 4 feet / 80 gallons). Set up real uninterrupted walls of perforated rocks up to the surface to break the line-of-sight of the Alpha male. Mandatory piles of stones in which pursued females can take refuge.
Diet and Feeding: Opportunistic Carnivore/Omnivore. Absolutely voracious. In nature it scrapes debris and tears off small insects. In the aquarium it needs a base of cichlid pellets rich in spirulina, alternated with mysis and brine shrimp. Hunger is never a problem.
Water Quality: Extreme robustness. Requires African Great Lakes parameters: high hardness (GH 10-20), alkaline water (pH 7.5-8.5) and 24-28°C (75-82°F) temperature. Intolerant to acidic water which causes loss of color and lethargy. Strong water movement.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Will kill or try to hybridize with any other Haplochromis. Keep only with equally brawling Malawi Mbuna capable of defending themselves (e.g. Pseudotropheus, Melanochromis) in overcrowded tanks with large filters, or strictly in a monospecific aquarium (Harem).
Aquarium Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder. Guaranteed and lightning-fast reproduction if the female is not killed by the male during the brutal courtship. It is often necessary to catch the female with her mouth full (stripping) and isolate her to guarantee her survival after giving birth.
Risks and Diseases: The main cause of death in this species is murder perpetrated by the dominant male against submissive males or non-receptive females. From a pathological point of view, they border on immortality and rarely get sick.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to Lake Victoria. It is a "littoral zone" species that populates the shallow rocky bottoms rich in debris, rarely venturing into the open water.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- This species has a notoriously vicious and hyper-aggressive temperament. Dominant males are fearless and will assert dominance over the entire aquarium if permitted. Careful planning of rockwork and tank mates is necessary to manage their explosive anger.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- They are omnivores that lean towards a carnivorous diet in the wild. Feed them high-quality cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen foods like mysis shrimp and krill. Ensure they also receive some spirulina or vegetable matter to maintain digestive health.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- The average lifespan of this cichlid in captivity is 5 to 8 years under proper care and stable environmental conditions. Due to the high level of territorial aggression in this species, stress management is a key factor in ensuring they reach their maximum lifespan. Maintaining pristine water quality with regular, large water changes will also prevent premature deaths due to common infections.
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- This profile records an adult size of 12 cm. Use it to size the permanent habitat and choose compatible furnishings and cohabitants.
- Sex ratio
- Harem
- Males are extremely violent towards conspecific males and will fight to the death in most aquariums. Keep a strict ratio of one male to a large harem of four to six females. This setup is essential to prevent the male from harassing a single female to death.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Feed them once or twice daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Consistent feeding can slightly mitigate their intense aggression by reducing food competition. Avoid overfeeding to prevent water fouling and obesity.
- Bioload
- Medium to High
- The 'Thick Skin' cichlid produces a high bioload characteristic of aggressive African cichlids. Their hearty appetite and active swimming lead to rapid accumulation of organic waste. Over-filtration and diligent weekly water changes are crucial for long-term success.
- Flow
- Strong
- Moderate to strong water flow is ideal for this robust species. Good surface agitation is necessary to maintain high oxygen levels in their densely stocked setups. The flow also helps sweep waste into the filtration intakes.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Due to their hyper-aggressive nature, tank mates are frequently chased and may attempt to jump to escape. The fish themselves may also jump during intense territorial disputes. A heavy, tightly fitted canopy is absolutely mandatory.
- Reproduction
- Rare / not documented
- They are highly prolific maternal mouthbrooders that will breed readily in captivity. The female will carry the eggs for approximately three weeks in her buccal cavity. Removing the holding female to a separate nursery tank ensures the fry's survival.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- This is one of the most aggressive Victoria cichlids available in the hobby. It must be kept with heavily armored or equally aggressive African cichlids to prevent casualties. Never house them with peaceful fish, as they will be relentlessly bullied or killed.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- They dominate the middle and lower levels of the tank, particularly around rock structures. They will relentlessly defend their chosen cave or rocky outcropping from all intruders. They frequently swim out into open water to display their colors and challenge rivals.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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