Allauad's Haplo

About

Allauad's Haplo (Astatoreochromis alluaudi) is one of those cichlids that rewards a closer look. It may not be the flashiest fish in the African rift lake trade, but its biology is genuinely fascinating. Native to the Lake Victoria basin, including lakes Edward, George, Kyoga, and several associated rivers and swamps, this species is remarkably adaptable in the wild. It roams shallow water across all substrate types and turns up even in papyrus swamps, which tells you something about its hardiness. The most distinctive thing about this fish is its dentition. It has powerful, molariform teeth purpose-built for cracking open snail shells, and wild populations are known to feed heavily on molluscs. That said, it appears to be an opportunist at heart, shifting its diet toward whatever food source is most available. In the aquarium it will accept a wide range of foods without much fuss. Fishery managers have actually used this species deliberately for biological snail control, which is a neat piece of applied natural history. At up to seven and a half inches, it needs a roomy tank and the typical cichlid-keeper's attention to territory and water quality, putting it comfortably in the intermediate category. Not a beginner fish, but a rewarding one.