Giraffe Hap Nimbochromis venustus

The Giraffe Hap (after Haplochromine cichlids) or Giraffe Cichlid is native to deeper waters of Lake Malawi in East Africa.

Both males and females have the "giraffe" blotched body patterning and breeding males also develop a stronger lemon yellow body wash and a shiny metallic blue head. They grow to 20-25cm long.

Like their close relative, the Livingstone Cichlid, Nimbochromis livingstonii of shallower, sandy areas of Lake Malawi, the Giraffe Hap partially buries itself in sand and keeps still while hunting for unsuspecting small fish that pass over it.