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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Cyrtocara moorii 'Masinje'.jpg Cyrtocara moorii 'Mdowa'.jpg Cyrtocara moorii 'Ngara'.jpg Cyrtocara moorii 'Nkhata Bay'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCyrtocara moorii 'Ngara'
Genus: Cyrtocara
Type locality: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Biotope: Shallow sandy bays near the shoreline; typically found over sandy bottoms at depths of approximately 3–15 m, often in association with large sand-sifting cichlids.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe, East Africa.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 22 cm; females up to about 18 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Minimal. Both sexes share the same blue coloration; males develop a pronounced frontal gibbosity (forehead hump), which consists of a jelly-like tissue and is not supported by bone or cartilage.
Recommended aquarium size: Minimum 600 litres; aquarium length at least 180 cm.
Aquarium setup: Large sandy areas with scattered large rocks, leaving ample open swimming space. Planting of Vallisneria in parts of the aquarium is beneficial. Keep a single male with several females (5–6).
Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on invertebrates, small crustaceans, and microorganisms. In nature it often follows large sand-sifting cichlids and feeds on food items exposed or expelled during their foraging.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding is relatively primitive; spawning may occur without a fixed territory. Eggs are usually fertilized outside the female’s mouth, though internal fertilization has also been observed. Mouthbrooding females are rarely seen.
Aggression: Moderately aggressive; aggression is mainly related to territorial defense, especially by males. In aquaria males are almost permanently territorial.
Special notes: Easily recognized by its uniform blue coloration and distinctive frontal hump. Often follows large sand-grubbing cichlids as a “freeloader”. Assessed as Least Concern (LC), though populations have declined locally due to overfishing.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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