A striking, large, open-water predator native to Lake Malawi. As its name implies, mature males develop a spectacular 'sunset' coloration with a blue head fading into a deep orange-red belly. They are pursuit/ambush predators and will readily consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths (including small Mbuna). Best kept in an all-male Hap/Peacock display or in a harem (1 male to multiple females).
Sunset Hap At a Glance
Sunset Hap Tank Requirements
Will Sunset Hap fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Sunset Hap needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Sunset Hap against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Sunset Hap Water Parameters
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Sunset Hap Temperament & Compatibility
Sunset Hap Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Male
Adult males exhibit the signature 'sunset' coloration (blue upper body, deep red/orange lower body). Highly territorial towards similar-looking males. Should be kept as the strictly solitary male of its species unless the tank is massive (800L+).
Differs in 3 traits from base species
Also known as: Show Male, Colored Male
Female
Females are silvery with a distinct dark horizontal stripe spanning the body. They remain slightly smaller than males and are less aggressive. If breeding is desired, keep 3-4 females per male to disperse aggression.
Differs in 3 traits from base species
Also known as: Uncolored, Silver Hap
Juvenile (Grow-out)
Unsexed juveniles are silver with a horizontal stripe, resembling adult females. They grow rapidly and require high protein diets. Can be temporarily housed in smaller aquariums before moving to the permanent large adult setup.
Differs in 6 traits from base species
Also known as: Baby Hap, Unsexed Juvenile
Sunset Hap Care Guide Summary
The Sunset Hap, scientifically known as Dimidiochromis strigatus, belongs to the Cichlids - African family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 25 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as semi-aggressive, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a high level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Sunset Hap requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 400 litres and a tank length of at least 150 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 7.6–8.6 and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Sunset Hap is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 3 varieties: Male, Female, and Juvenile (Grow-out). Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Sunset Hap Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Sunset Hap, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour and smooth gravel or rounded substrate to protect their sensitive barbels.
Sunset Hap Compatibility Notes
Classified as semi-aggressive, the Sunset Hap is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, any fish small enough to fit in its mouth will likely be eaten, conspecific aggression can be intense, especially in smaller tanks, territorial behaviour may cause issues if hiding spots or floor space are limited, and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Sunset Hap Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Sunset Hap.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sunset Hap
How big does Sunset Hap get?
Sunset Hap (Dimidiochromis strigatus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 25 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Sunset Hap need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 400 litres and a tank length of at least 150 cm are recommended for Sunset Hap. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Sunset Hap need?
Sunset Hap thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 7.6 and 8.6, and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Sunset Hap peaceful or aggressive?
Sunset Hap is classified as semi-aggressive with an aggression score of 6 out of 10. They can work in community setups but may clash with certain tankmates.
Can Sunset Hap live alone?
Yes, Sunset Hap can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Does Sunset Hap have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Sunset Hap benefits from sand (sifters) and smooth gravel (sensitive barbels) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Plants That Suit Sunset Hap
These plants pair well with Sunset Hap based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Broadleaf Crinum
Crinum natans
Fish Similar to Sunset Hap
Blue Dolphin (Hap)
Cyrtocara moorii
A striking blue Lake Malawi Haplochromine cichlid famous for the pronounced nuchal hump (head bump) that develops in mature adults, resembling a dolphin. They are benthopelagic micro-predators that naturally follow digging fish in the wild to catch stirred-up morsels. While relatively peaceful for an African Cichlid, they grow very large and require extensive swimming space and hard, alkaline water.
Buccochromis rhoadesii
Buccochromis rhoadesii
A massive, apex-predator Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. They are open-water pursuit predators characterized by an immense mouth and a distinct diagonal stripe across the body. Due to their enormous adult size and strictly piscivorous nature, they require massive aquariums and can only be housed with similarly large, robust species. Any tank mate small enough to fit in their mouth will be eaten.
Electric Blue Hap
Sciaenochromis fryeri
The Electric Blue Hap is a striking Lake Malawi cichlid. In the wild, they are specialized piscivores that hunt the fry of other cichlids among the rocks. Due to extreme sexual dimorphism, mature males develop a brilliant metallic blue coloration, while females remain a drab silver-brown. They are best kept in a large, hard-water aquarium either as a single showpiece male in an 'all-male' Hap/Peacock display, or as a single male with a harem of multiple females.
Buccochromis lepturus
Buccochromis lepturus
A massive, open-water predator native to Lake Malawi. They are pelagic pursuit hunters that will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. Due to their enormous adult size and extreme swimming speed, they require exceptionally large aquariums. They should only be housed with other large, robust Malawi cichlids.
Three-Spot Torpedo Hap
Exochochromis anagenys
A striking, large predatory haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. Known for its torpedo-shaped body (fusiform), it is an open-water hunter that preys on smaller fish like mbuna. While highly predatory and requiring a massive tank, they are relatively mild-mannered toward tankmates too large to be swallowed. Conspecific males, however, are violently intolerant of one another.
Malawi Hawk
Aristochromis christyi
A large, specialized predatory cichlid native to Lake Malawi, commonly known as the 'Malawi Hawk'. It has a distinctive laterally compressed beak-like jaw and hunts by tilting forward to ambush prey. It is a formidable piscivore that will swallow any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. Best kept in a large Hap/Peacock setup with similarly sized, robust tank mates.