Name: Haplochromis sp. "Thickskin"

Synonym: Haplochromis "species #44" and Astatotilapia sp. "Redtail"

Common name: Haplochromis obliquidens

Location: Lake Victoria

Adult male size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Diet: insects

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Personal notes: This is a cichlid from Lake Victoria that is usually sold as Haplochromis obliquidens. I have seen this fish also called Haplochromis species "44", Astatotilapia sp. "red tail", and Haplochromis sp. "thickskin". Some hobbyists feel that this cichlid may actually be several different species. The only thing that everyone seems to agree with is that this is a very aggressive victorian cichlid.

The females are not very colorful when compared to the males, although they are not quite as drab many of the other victorians. My male grew to about 4 1/2 inches (11 cm) long and the female about 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) long. Although it is fairly common in the hobby, it is thought that it may be extinct in the wild.

I first purchased this victorian in 1997 and added one male and two females in 2002. This cichlid is often confused with the Labrochromis ishmaeli or the Haplochromis brownae. I believe that the true ishmaeli and brownae actually looks quite a bit different than the Hap #44.

An adult male Haplochromis species #44 "thickskin" above

Two young adult females above

Above are two juveniles growing out in my 180 gallon tank. They won't stay there because I don't want them to hybridize with the Astotilapia latifasciata.

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