Name: Haplochromis sp. "red back scraper"

Synonym: Enterochromis sp. "red back scraper"

Common name: Red Back Scraper

Location: Lake Victoria (Mwanza Gulf)

Adult size: Male: 5.5 inches (14 cm), Female: 3 inches (8 cm)

Diet: algae

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Personal notes: I purchased three (1M:2F) fish labeled Haplochromis sp. "red back scraper" from the local aquarium store in January of 2007 and placed them in my 180 gallon tank. The male grew to 5.5 inches (14 cm) very quickly. The females grew much more slowly and eventually reached 3 inches (8 cm) long. Seeing them in person, you would be surprised at the large size disparity considering the more bulky body shape of the male.

Most all of the pictures I've seen of the red back scraper maintained in Europe show a cichlid with bright yellow lower half body below the red. However, the red back scrapers sold in the United States tend to have a greenish color as shown below. Same fish?...I don't know. Refer to some of the links below to decide for yourself.

Above is my male Haplochromis sp. "red back scraper"

And above is the female

The above juvenile males show a slightly different coloration

The juvenile males above are just starting to show some color

A breeding picture above left and a holding female above right.

The adult male is more than twice the size of the adult female

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