Sciaenochromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species are popular in the aquarium hobby, most notably S. fryeri.
Only males possess the impressive, electric blue coloration, while females are dull grey, and generally similar to the females of Aulonocara species. All Sciaenochromis are piscivores (fish-eaters) and prey mainly upon the fry of mbuna and other haplochromine cichlids.
There are currently four recognized species in this genus:
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sciaenochromis ahli (Trewavas, 1935) | Electric Blue Hap | Lake Malawi | |
| Sciaenochromis benthicola Konings, 1993 | Lake Malawi | ||
| Sciaenochromis fryeri Konings, 1993 | Lake Malawi | ||
| Sciaenochromis psammophilus Konings, 1993 | Electric Blue Kande | Lake Malawi | |
Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi, they are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Sciaenochromis are best kept in tanks with volumes greater than 210 L (55 gal). This is an aggressive fish, and the minimum tank size of 210 litres is only acceptable with a trio of 1 male and 2 females. When more than one male is kept, experts recommend a minimum tank size of being the minimum. Males can also display aggression towards similarly-coloured fish of other species, for example Aulonocara or Placidochromis. its better to be careful having an 'Electric Blue Hap' in an aquarium.