Sciaenochromis fryeri or the Electric Blue Hap

Introduction to Sciaenochromis fryeri:

Sciaenochromis fryeri or the "Electric Blue Hap" is a Lake malawi haplochromis species. The breeding blue color of the male haps are best shown in S. Fryeri. The females are brownish-grey to silver, very difficult to distinguish from the Kadango cichlid females. The male in this species is very popular in the hobby for their stunning color. Sometimes they may  show dark vertical bars on their body which is a sign of stress, and it is farely common in Malawi haps.


Color Variants of Sciaenochromis fryeri:
There are many color morphs of S. Fryeri present throughout Lake Malawi, but all have the same electric blue as the base color. Main difference found is in their  fins. There are also some hybrids of S. Fryeri present in the hobby.

Sizes of S. Fryeri:

The wildcaught S. Fryeri measures sizes of 12-14 cm in general, but there are specimens collected from Likoma Island having a length of over 20 cm. In the aquarium, all variants can grow to 20 cm in length. The females of this species, like most African Cichlid species, tend to be slightly smaller than the males.

Feeding Sciaenochromis fryeri:

In the wild Fryeris hunt Utaka or mbuna juveniles. In the aquarium, they will readily eat mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, High Quality Flakes, High Quality Pellets.

Breeding S. Fryeri:
The Fryeri is relatively easy to breed and usually produces broods of up to 60 or 70 fry. It is a polygamous mouthbrooder. In the wild, males construct large volcano-like structures by sand and then tries to entice a female to enter into this structure to spawn with him.In home aqua you need to form caves from rocks and put sand as substrate to breed Fryeris.


The S.Fryeri are called the playboy of Lake Malawi. They very often spawn with other species females, and specially with aulonocara.