Buccochromis lepturus "Green"
Green Slender Tail Hap (Buccochromis lepturus "Green")
Green Slender Tail Hap (Buccochromis lepturus "Green")
13 in stock
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Remarks: Buccochromis lepturus "Green", also known as the green slender tail hap, is a rare predatory hap that has only just recently begun to a get a footing within the hobby despite being wide-spread in Lake Malawi. These beautiful fish have humble beginnings with females and juveniles being mostly silver, occasionally also having yellow accents, with a black/dark brown slanted stripe starting at the front of the dorsal fin and extending down to the middle of the base of the caudal fin. Mature females occasionally get a blue tint, but in accordance with most African cichlids, the males are what most are after in regards to color. Mature, dominant males are a striking blue with yellow markings on the center of the body and fins. Sometimes in certain lighting, male green slender tail haps will have a green sheen which is what gave rise to their common name. This fantastic color does not just appear overnight, however. Green slender tail hap males usually do not begin displaying color until they are at least 9 inches in length. This makes sexing young fish at a glance and means some patience is needed when waiting for these cichlids to truly shine. Once you see a male on full display, it will be clear that it was well worth the wait.
Like with most predator haps, the green slender tail hap will hunt and eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth. However, most note them to be rather mellow so long as their tankmates are the same size as them and there are no females present. It should be noted that with how big green slender tail haps grow with the females reaching about 12” and males being able to grow as large as 16,” they are capable of eating fish that are 6” long or smaller. With these large sizes and the fact they are active swimmers that inhabit open-water environments in the wild, adults should be given a large amount of space with the aquarium being at least 6 feet long. A 150 gallon tank is sufficient for a small breeding group, however 200 gallons or more will be needed if housing them in a community setting. This will reduce not only aggression, but also stress resulting in less illness and conflicts as well as bring out natural behaviors.
Breeding these predator haps is mostly straight forward. Green slender tail haps are best bred in a species only tank with at minimum 2-3 females for every male. Feeding a well-rounded diet and providing clean, hard, alkaline water will help encourage spawning. When ready, a male will dig a pit in the sand to entice a female. After the female lays the eggs and they are fertilized, she will pick them up in her mouth to mouthbrood them until the fry hatch and are free swimming. Unlike their open-water dwelling adult forms, juveniles tend to inhabit the shallows in the wild so those in captivity will benefit from being given lots of hiding places until they are older and more confident. Green slender tail haps with their brilliant colors and fascinating personalities make for a great breeding project or an uncommon addition to an all-male Lake Malawi cichlid community tank.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Lake Malawi, Africa
- Breeding: Tank-raised in USA
- Max adult size: 15-16"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Aggressive
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 74°F - 82°F
- pH range: 7.5 - 8.4
- GH range: 200 ppm - 400 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee