Haplochromis is a ray-finned fish genus in the family Cichlidae. It has been used as the default "wastebin taxon" for Pseudocrenilabrinae cichlids of the East African Rift, and as such became the "largest" fish "genus". Many of these cichlids are popular aquarium fishes; like similar Haplochromini they are known as "haplos", "happies" or "haps" among aquarium enthusiasts.
Haplochromis welcommei is a threatened species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria in Africa. This species reaches a length of 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. Although further surveys are needed to confirm its status, it is considered possibly extinct by the IUCN on the basis that there have been no definite records since 1985.
Haplochromis artaxerxes was a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is only known from the Napoleon Gulf, in Uganda. This species can reach a length of 14.7 centimetres (5.8 in) SL. The specific name uses the name of Artaxerxes I of Persia who was known as "long-handed", a reference to this species extremely long pectoral fins.
Haplochromis dentex is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria, but has not been seen since 1987. It may be extinct, but is maintained as Critically Endangered by the IUCN in the small chance that a tiny –but currently unknown– population survives. This species grows to a length of 15.9 centimetres (6.3 in) SL.
Haplochromis gracilior, known in Rwanda as the Boulenger's Kivu haplo and in the aquarium fish trade as Haplochromis 'torpedo stripe', is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Kivu on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. This species can reach a length of 10.4 centimetres (4.1 in) SL.
Haplochromis latifasciatus is a species of cichlid that is endemic to Uganda where restricted to the Lake Kyoga system, including Lake Bisina and Lake Nawampasa. This fish can reach a total length of 11 cm (4.3 in). It is also seen in the aquarium trade and it is easily bred in captivity. In the aquarium trade it is frequently labelled as Haplochromis "zebra obliquidens", which sometimes cause confusion with Haplochromis obliquidens, a separate species from Lake Victoria that is not known from the aquarium trade.
Haplochromis macconneli is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Turkana, northern Kenya. This species can reach a length of 7.7 centimetres (3.0 in) SL. The specific name honours the Officer in Charge of the Fisheries Department at Lake Rudolf, R. B. McConnell, for the assistance he gave to the Lake Rudolf Research Project.
Haplochromis obliquidens is an African species of cichlid found in Lake Victoria and the adjacent reaches of the Nile. This species can reach a standard length of 8.9 cm (3.5 in). Another species sometimes seen in the aquarium trade, Haplochromis latifasciatus of the Lake Kyoga system, is frequently labelled as Haplochromis "zebra obliquidens", which sometimes cause confusion between the species. Unlike that species, H. obliquidens is not known from the aquarium trade.
Haplochromis rudolfianus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Turkana. This species can reach a length of 5.8 centimetres (2.3 in) SL.
Haplochromis turkanae also known in brief as Turkana haplo, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Turkana. This species reaches a length of 8.6 centimetres (3.4 in) SL.
Haplochromis xanthopteryx is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is only known to occur in the Mwanza Gulf in areas with rocky substrates. This species can reach a length of 10.7 centimetres (4.2 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. This species may be placed back in the genus Lithochromis when a comprehensive review of Haplochromis is carried out.
Haplochromis luteus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from the western park of Speke Gulf and also from the Sengerema region, all in Tanzania. This shallow water species, 0 to 2 metres, is found along gently sloping rocky shores. This species can reach a length of 13.3 centimetres (5.2 in) SL. This species was originally described in the genus Mbipia, however not all scientists have accepted such placement. It may be placed back in Mbipia should a comprehensive review of the genus Haplochromis be conducted.
Haplochromis mbipi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from the southeastern portion of the lake. This shallow water species, 0 to 6 metres, is generally found along gently sloping rocky shores. This species can reach a length of 13.1 centimetres (5.2 in) SL. This species was originally described in the genus Mbipia, however not all scientists have accepted such placement. It may be placed back in Mbipia should a comprehensive review of the genus Haplochromis be conducted.
Haplochromis gigas is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is only known to occur with certainty in the Speke Gulf, though its presence is suspected in other portions of the lake. Its preferred habitat is gently sloping areas with rocky substrates. This species can reach a length of 14.2 centimetres (5.6 in) SL.
Haplochromis omnicaeruleus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from the southeastern portion of the lake. This species can reach a length of 11.9 centimetres (4.7 in) SL.
Haplochromis rufocaudalis is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known with certainty from Sengerema, the Speke Gulf and Mwanza Gulf though it may occur in other locations. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL.
Haplochromis simotes is a species of cichlid endemic to the Victorian Nile where it is only known with certainty from Kakindu and questionable records from Ripon Falls, both in Uganda. This species can reach a standard length of 8.7 cm (3.4 in). This algae-feeder is found in fast-flowing waters over a rocky bottom. Although rated as data deficient by the IUCN, its range is very small and it could easily become extinct as a result of already-planned dams.
Haplochromis parorthostoma is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from areas with hard substrates. This species can reach a length of 11.7 centimetres (4.6 in) SL.
Haplochromis argens is a species of haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is only known from the Tanzanian portion. This species reaches a length of 7.6 centimetres (3.0 in) SL. It feeds on zooplankton.
Haplochromis vonlinnei is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria. It is greyish in color with a distinct mid-lateral band, and a rather slender shape. It feeds mainly on smaller fish. This species can reach a length of 15.9 centimetres (6.3 in) SL. The population of the species has declined due to the introduction of the Nile perch in the 1950s. It has not been recorded since 1980 and the IUCN lists it as "Critically Endangered" and considers it may already be extinct. This fish is named in honour of the Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus.
