The Hongi Lab is endemic to Lake Malawi, one of the Great Rift Lakes of East Africa. This species inhabits the area near Hongi Island in Lake Malawi, which is where these fish got their nickname. These fish have not yet been officially classified so their species name is as yet undetermined. The coloration of Hongi Labs may vary according to the mood of the fish, but the most common colors in male specimens are orange or lilac purple on the body with yellow or orange fins. Many specimens also exhibit dark vertical bars running along the head all the way to the base of the caudal fin. Females of the species are typically less colorful, having a brownish purple color.