{"id":8330,"date":"2026-02-17T07:05:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/labidochromis-hongi-sunflower-malawi-african-cichlid-2-inches\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T07:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:05:17","slug":"labidochromis-hongi-sunflower-malawi-african-cichlid-2-inches","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=labidochromis-hongi-sunflower-malawi-african-cichlid-2-inches","title":{"rendered":"Labidochromis Hongi Sunflower Malawi African Cichlid &#8211; 2 Inches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"282\" data-end=\"764\"><strong data-start=\"282\" data-end=\"295\">Overview:<\/strong><br data-start=\"295\" data-end=\"298\" \/>The <strong data-start=\"302\" data-end=\"337\">Labidochromis hongi \u201cSunflower\u201d<\/strong> is a vibrant Mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi, prized for its <strong data-start=\"398\" data-end=\"428\">intense yellow-orange body<\/strong>, often accented with <strong data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"491\">contrasting blue or violet highlights<\/strong> along the dorsal area. Males display the most striking colors, while females and juveniles are slightly paler but still attractive. This active and hardy species is ideal for African cichlid enthusiasts wanting a <strong data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"736\">bright, energetic show fish<\/strong> for a rocky Malawi setup.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"957\"><strong data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"777\">Origin:<\/strong><br data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"780\" \/>Endemic to <strong data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"814\">Lake Malawi, Africa<\/strong>, where it inhabits rocky shoreline areas in the wild. The \u201cSunflower\u201d is a selectively bred color morph designed to enhance its golden hues.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"1324\"><strong data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"971\">Feeding:<\/strong><br data-start=\"971\" data-end=\"974\" \/>Omnivorous with a strong preference for vegetable matter. Provide a staple of <strong data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1102\">high-quality spirulina-based pellets or flakes<\/strong>, supplemented with <strong data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1145\">blanched vegetables<\/strong> (zucchini, spinach, peas) and occasional <strong data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1209\">protein-rich foods<\/strong> like brine shrimp or mysis shrimp. Avoid excessive meaty foods to prevent digestive issues such as Malawi bloat.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1617\"><strong data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1341\">Tank Mates:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1344\" \/>Best kept with other <strong data-start=\"1365\" data-end=\"1397\">Mbuna or Lake Malawi species<\/strong> of similar size and temperament. Suitable companions include <strong data-start=\"1459\" data-end=\"1539\">yellow labs, red zebras, cobalt blues, and other moderately aggressive Mbuna<\/strong>. Avoid mixing with overly aggressive species or delicate, slow-moving fish.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1642\"><strong data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1640\">Water Parameters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1847\">\n<li data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1681\">\n<p data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1681\">Temperature: <strong data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1679\">76\u201382\u00b0F (24\u201328\u00b0C)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1701\">\n<p data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1701\">pH: <strong data-start=\"1688\" data-end=\"1699\">7.8\u20138.6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1729\">\n<p data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1729\">Hardness: <strong data-start=\"1714\" data-end=\"1727\">10\u201320 dGH<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1730\" data-end=\"1786\">\n<p data-start=\"1732\" data-end=\"1786\">Minimum Tank Size: <strong data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1765\">55 gallons<\/strong> for a small colony<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"1847\">\n<p data-start=\"1789\" data-end=\"1847\">Provide <strong data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"1819\">rockwork and caves<\/strong> for territory and shelter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1878\"><strong data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1876\">Behavior &amp; Personality:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1879\" data-end=\"2075\">\n<li data-start=\"1879\" data-end=\"1952\">\n<p data-start=\"1881\" data-end=\"1952\">Active, territorial, and moderately aggressive\u2014typical Mbuna behavior<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1953\" data-end=\"2032\">\n<p data-start=\"1955\" data-end=\"2032\">Best kept in <strong data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2009\">groups of one male to several females<\/strong> to spread aggression<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2033\" data-end=\"2075\">\n<p data-start=\"2035\" data-end=\"2075\">Constant grazer on rocks and substrate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2077\" data-end=\"2097\"><strong data-start=\"2077\" data-end=\"2095\">Special Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2098\" data-end=\"2359\">\n<li data-start=\"2098\" data-end=\"2175\">\n<p data-start=\"2100\" data-end=\"2175\">Males display <strong data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2150\">full sunflower-yellow coloration<\/strong> with age and dominance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2244\">\n<p data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2244\">Thrives in tanks with <strong data-start=\"2200\" data-end=\"2242\">strong filtration and high oxygenation<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2245\" data-end=\"2318\">\n<p data-start=\"2247\" data-end=\"2318\">Benefits from a <strong data-start=\"2263\" data-end=\"2287\">rock-heavy aquascape<\/strong> with plenty of hiding spaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2359\">\n<p data-start=\"2321\" data-end=\"2359\">Will breed readily in home aquariums<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2361\" data-end=\"2659\">The <strong data-start=\"2365\" data-end=\"2400\">Labidochromis hongi \u201cSunflower\u201d<\/strong> is a <strong data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2443\">colorful, hardy, and lively Mbuna<\/strong> that brings the warm glow of Lake Malawi\u2019s shores into your aquarium. A fantastic choice for experienced African cichlid keepers looking to add <strong data-start=\"2588\" data-end=\"2636\">vivid golden tones and energetic personality<\/strong> to their collection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview:The Labidochromis hongi \u201cSunflower\u201d is a vibrant Mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi, prized for its intense yellow-orange body, often accented with contrasting blue or violet highlights along the dorsal area. Males display the most striking colors, while females and juveniles are slightly paler but still attractive. This active and hardy species is ideal for African [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8329,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[109],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8330","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-labidochromis","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/8330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=8330"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=8330"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=8330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}