Protomelas ornatus
Ornate Hap (Protomelas ornatus)
Ornate Hap (Protomelas ornatus)
Low stock: 3 left
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Remarks: The ornate hap is a stunning example of a predatory hap from Lake Malawi. While juveniles and female fish are more silver or tan in color, mature, dominant males pop with vibrant color. Under the right conditions, they turn an electric blue with a yellow belly and orange accents in their fins. The exact amount of coverage and intensity for these colors depends on the locality, so it can be rather variable especially among captive populations. An interesting feature displayed by ornate haps are their large, thick lips that are reminiscent of those of the mdoka white lips (Placidochromis phenochilus "Mdoka"). These lips develop to aid the fish by forming a seal around crevices which small fish and crustaceans would hide in that the ornate hap can then suck out. Due to captive fish not feeding in this style as they simply have to snatch their food from the water column rather than actively hunting live prey, the lips on captive ornate haps rarely reach the sizes of their wild counterparts.
Like with most predator haps, the ornate 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. Since they inhabit the shallow, rocky, intermediate areas of Lake Malawi, the ornate hap will appreciate plenty of rocks as decoration in the aquarium and will need clean, well oxygenated water to thrive. This can be achieved through additional aeration, heavy filtration, and plenty of sizable water changes. Providing a diet heavy in fish protein will also aid in keeping the ornate hap healthy and can encourage them to display their best colors. As these fish grow rather large and are active swimmers, adults should be given a large amount of space with the aquarium being at least 6 feet long. 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 fairly straight forward. Ornate 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. Ornate 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: 9-10"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Aggressive
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 74°F - 82°F
- pH range: 7.5 - 8.4
- TDS 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