{"product_id":"placidochromis-phenochilus-giselli","title":"Placidochromis phenochilus giselli - Cichlid Fish for Sale UK","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Star Sapphire Hap (\u003cem\u003ePlacidochromis phenochilus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the \u003cstrong\u003emost stunning Haplochromine cichlids from Lake Malawi\u003c\/strong\u003e. Males develop an extraordinary iridescent blue colouration covered in glittering white-blue spots — like stars scattered across a sapphire sky. Endemic to the northern parts of Lake Malawi, this species grows to 16 cm and makes a spectacular centrepiece for large Malawi aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eParameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlacidochromis phenochilus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCichlidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa (northern)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 – 28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5 – 8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 – 25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCichlid pellets, frozen foods, spirulina flakes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Natural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlacidochromis phenochilus\u003c\/em\u003e is endemic to the northern parts of Lake Malawi, where it inhabits sandy and intermediate zones near the shoreline. Unlike rock-dwelling Mbuna, Haplochromine cichlids (Haps) are open-water and sand-dwelling species that require more swimming space. The name ‘phenochilus’ refers to the enlarged lips of this species, which it uses to sift food from sandy substrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHaps vs Mbuna vs Peacocks\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLake Malawi cichlids fall into three main groups: \u003cstrong\u003eMbuna\u003c\/strong\u003e (rock-dwelling, aggressive, herbivorous), \u003cstrong\u003eHaps\u003c\/strong\u003e (open-water, semi-aggressive, omnivorous), and \u003cstrong\u003ePeacocks\u003c\/strong\u003e (sand-dwelling Aulonocara, gentle, omnivorous). The Star Sapphire is a Hap — it needs more space than Mbuna, is less aggressive, and should be kept with other Haps and Peacocks rather than aggressive Mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 300 litres with \u003cstrong\u003eopen swimming space and sandy areas\u003c\/strong\u003e. Add some rock formations along the back and sides but leave the centre open. Maintain 24 to 28 °C, pH 7.5 to 8.5, hardness 10 to 25 dGH. Keep 1 male with 2–3 females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOmnivorous; feed high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen brine shrimp, krill, and spirulina flakes. In the wild, \u003cem\u003eP. phenochilus\u003c\/em\u003e uses its enlarged lips to sift invertebrates from sandy substrates. Feed 2–3 times daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatible Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest with other Malawi Haps and Peacock cichlids. See our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eLwanda Peacock Cichlid\u003c\/a\u003e for a compatible Aulonocara. Also works well with \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e catfish. Avoid aggressive Mbuna that will bully this more peaceable species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from Tropical Fish Co?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Star Sapphire Haps are healthy specimens developing the spectacular iridescent blue colouration with glittering white-blue spots. A breathtaking centrepiece fish for serious Malawi enthusiasts. Live arrival guaranteed with UK delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Fish Co","offers":[{"title":"4 - 5 cm","offer_id":57445989450063,"sku":"KF55","price":31.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 - 6 cm","offer_id":57451359109455,"sku":"KF56","price":36.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 - 8 cm","offer_id":57451359142223,"sku":"KF57","price":47.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1007\/1408\/6735\/files\/placidochromis-phenochilus-giselli-s1-kf55.webp?v=1777837642","url":"https:\/\/tropical-fish-co.myshopify.com\/products\/placidochromis-phenochilus-giselli","provider":"Tropical Fish Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}