All fish / Cichlidae

Red Top Hongi

Maylandia emmiltos

Also known as metriaclima emmiltos, pseudotropheus emmiltos, emmiltos mbuna, mpanga rocks zebra, red top emmiltos, pseudotropheus sp. emmiltos

A compact mbuna from the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, males show pale blue bodies with dark bars and an orange to red dorsal fin, while females are duller. It is kept for its bright contrasting colours and lively behaviour in rock-filled Malawi cichlid tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, in a crowded mbuna community

Diet

Herbivore: algae-based flakes and pellets, spirulina, blanched greens, occasional small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Mpanga Rocks, Tanzania), endemic

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks after spawning on a rock or in a cave. Breeding is easy in a well-kept tank with plenty of females.

Good to know

Males are territorial and can harass rivals and females, so provide plenty of rockwork and avoid mixing with similar-looking Maylandia species to prevent hybridisation. Avoid high-protein diets, which can cause Malawi bloat.