Buy Aulonocara and Malawi at Vegas Valley Cichlids

$84.99

$55
FLAT RATE SHIPPING

100% LIVE ARRIVAL
GUARANTEE

TALK TO A PERSON
SUPPORT 24/7

$55
FLAT RATE SHIPPING

100% LIVE ARRIVAL
GUARANTEE

TALK TO A PERSON
SUPPORT 24/7

Availability: 2 In Stock

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.


Origin and Habitat

  • 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


Physical Characteristics

  • 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


Behavior and Temperament

  • 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


Aquarium Care

  • 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


Diet and Feeding

  • 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


Breeding

  • 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


Compatible Tank Mates

  • 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)


Is F1 Tyrannochromis macrostoma Right for You?

✅ 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.


Origin and Habitat

  • 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


Physical Characteristics

  • 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


Behavior and Temperament

  • 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


Aquarium Care

  • 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


Diet and Feeding

  • 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


Breeding

  • 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


Compatible Tank Mates

  • 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)


Is F1 Tyrannochromis macrostoma Right for You?

✅ 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. 🐟👑🔥

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

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.

 

F1 Tyrannochromis Macrostoma F1 Tyrannochromis Macrostoma

Just added to your wishlist:
noimage
My Wishlist
You've just added this product to the cart:
noimage
Go to cart page