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The Tyrannochromis macrostoma, also known as the Big Mouth Hap, is a large, powerful predatory cichlid from Lake Malawi, East Africa. The “F1” designation means this fish is first-generation captive-bred from wild-caught parents, offering the closest appearance and behavior to wild specimens. Known for its massive mouth, intense aggression, and bold colors, it’s a centerpiece fish for advanced aquarists with large predator setups.
Native Region:
Lake Malawi, East Africa
Natural Habitat:
Found in rocky and open water areas
Prefers deep waters and caves where it can ambush prey
A solitary predator by nature
Size:
Males: 12–14 inches (30–35 cm)
Females: 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
Coloration:
Males: Dark metallic blue or violet body, silver or white underbelly, and yellow to orange accents in the fins
Females: Silver to gray with faint dark markings
Body Features:
Large head and oversized jaw adapted to engulf prey whole
Strong, streamlined body made for burst swimming
Temperament:
Highly aggressive, especially with smaller or similar-looking fish
Territorial, particularly when breeding or asserting dominance
Social Behavior:
Best kept alone, in species-only tanks, or with similarly sized aggressive Haps
Not suitable for community or mixed cichlid tanks with peaceful fish
Tank Size:
Minimum 180 gallons for a single adult
Larger tanks (220+ gallons) recommended for mixed predator setups
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 7.8–8.6
Hardness: Moderate to hard
Tank Setup:
Substrate: Fine sand
Decor: Large rocks and caves for cover, plus open swimming space
Filtration: Strong, high-capacity filtration system
Lighting: Moderate to low to mimic natural depth
Feeding Style: Carnivorous (Piscivore)
Best Diet:
High-protein predator pellets
Frozen foods: Krill, shrimp, silversides, whitefish
Occasional live foods: Feeder fish (quarantined), earthworms
Avoid fatty foods and mammal meat
Feeding Frequency:
Once or twice daily in small, protein-rich meals
Mouthbrooder:
Males court females with intense color and aggression
Females hold fertilized eggs in their mouths for 21–28 days
Separate fry post-release if you intend to raise them
Breeding Considerations:
Requires very large tank
Breeding groups are rare in home aquariums due to aggression
Ideal Tank Mates:
Other large, aggressive Haps:
Aristochromis christyi
Buccochromis nototaenia
Champsochromis caeruleus
Fossorochromis rostratus
Avoid:
Smaller fish (will be eaten)
Mbuna or peaceful species (too aggressive)
Fish with similar body shape (may trigger territorial attacks)
✅ Perfect for advanced aquarists seeking a powerful predator centerpiece
✅ Beautiful wild-type coloration and natural behavior
✅ High impact display fish for predator tanks
❌ Requires very large tank and strict aggression management
❌ Not suitable for community setups or small species
The F1 Tyrannochromis macrostoma is a beast of beauty—strong, smart, and stunning. With the right space and setup, it becomes the undisputed king of any Malawi predator tank. 🐟👑🔥
The Tyrannochromis macrostoma, also known as the Big Mouth Hap, is a large, powerful predatory cichlid from Lake Malawi, East Africa. The “F1” designation means this fish is first-generation captive-bred from wild-caught parents, offering the closest appearance and behavior to wild specimens. Known for its massive mouth, intense aggression, and bold colors, it’s a centerpiece fish for advanced aquarists with large predator setups.
Native Region:
Lake Malawi, East Africa
Natural Habitat:
Found in rocky and open water areas
Prefers deep waters and caves where it can ambush prey
A solitary predator by nature
Size:
Males: 12–14 inches (30–35 cm)
Females: 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
Coloration:
Males: Dark metallic blue or violet body, silver or white underbelly, and yellow to orange accents in the fins
Females: Silver to gray with faint dark markings
Body Features:
Large head and oversized jaw adapted to engulf prey whole
Strong, streamlined body made for burst swimming
Temperament:
Highly aggressive, especially with smaller or similar-looking fish
Territorial, particularly when breeding or asserting dominance
Social Behavior:
Best kept alone, in species-only tanks, or with similarly sized aggressive Haps
Not suitable for community or mixed cichlid tanks with peaceful fish
Tank Size:
Minimum 180 gallons for a single adult
Larger tanks (220+ gallons) recommended for mixed predator setups
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 7.8–8.6
Hardness: Moderate to hard
Tank Setup:
Substrate: Fine sand
Decor: Large rocks and caves for cover, plus open swimming space
Filtration: Strong, high-capacity filtration system
Lighting: Moderate to low to mimic natural depth
Feeding Style: Carnivorous (Piscivore)
Best Diet:
High-protein predator pellets
Frozen foods: Krill, shrimp, silversides, whitefish
Occasional live foods: Feeder fish (quarantined), earthworms
Avoid fatty foods and mammal meat
Feeding Frequency:
Once or twice daily in small, protein-rich meals
Mouthbrooder:
Males court females with intense color and aggression
Females hold fertilized eggs in their mouths for 21–28 days
Separate fry post-release if you intend to raise them
Breeding Considerations:
Requires very large tank
Breeding groups are rare in home aquariums due to aggression
Ideal Tank Mates:
Other large, aggressive Haps:
Aristochromis christyi
Buccochromis nototaenia
Champsochromis caeruleus
Fossorochromis rostratus
Avoid:
Smaller fish (will be eaten)
Mbuna or peaceful species (too aggressive)
Fish with similar body shape (may trigger territorial attacks)
✅ Perfect for advanced aquarists seeking a powerful predator centerpiece
✅ Beautiful wild-type coloration and natural behavior
✅ High impact display fish for predator tanks
❌ Requires very large tank and strict aggression management
❌ Not suitable for community setups or small species
The F1 Tyrannochromis macrostoma is a beast of beauty—strong, smart, and stunning. With the right space and setup, it becomes the undisputed king of any Malawi predator tank. 🐟👑🔥
Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water. This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.
Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)
Order Placed on: |
Ship Date: |
Arrival Date: UPS Overnight |
Arrival Date: Southwest |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
Thursday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Saturday |
Friday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Sunday |
Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Monday |
Sunday |
Tuesday |
Wed |
Tuesday |
Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.
Note: If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.
Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.
Southwest:
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.
Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water. This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.
Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)
Order Placed on: |
Ship Date: |
Arrival Date: UPS Overnight |
Arrival Date: Southwest |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Thursday |
Wednesday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
Thursday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Saturday |
Friday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Sunday |
Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Monday |
Sunday |
Tuesday |
Wed |
Tuesday |
Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.
Note: If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.
Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.
Southwest:
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.
Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.
VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.
25% DOA
We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish.
50% DOA
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.
75% DOA
We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.
Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.
VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.
25% DOA
We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish.
50% DOA
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.
75% DOA
We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.