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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus.jpg Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus 'Chiofu'.jpg Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus 'Likoma'.jpg Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus 'Metangula'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageHemitilapia oxyrhynchus 'Chiofu Bay'
Genus: Hemitilapia
Type locality: Lake Malawi, Africa.
Biotope: Shallow sandy bays and shoreline areas densely covered with emergent vegetation and submerged Vallisneria beds.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi (Malawi Lake), East Africa.
Typical adult size: Males up to 22 cm, females slightly smaller (around 18 cm).
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and show a light blue body with a metallic blue head, yellow–orange scale margins and pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females are smaller, silvery-grey with rounded fins.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 600 litres; minimum tank length 150 cm.
Aquarium setup: Fine sand substrate with large, robust aquatic plants (especially Vallisneria). Some rock slabs for shelter and retreat.
Diet: Herbivorous. Specialised grazer feeding almost exclusively on algae and aufwuchs growing on aquatic plants.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Eggs are laid on sand or flat stones, fertilised by the male and then taken into the female’s mouth. Incubation lasts about three weeks at ~26 °C.
Aggression: Peaceful within the species and towards other fishes. Best kept in groups rather than pairs.
Special notes: The only Malawi cichlid known to feed exclusively on the aufwuchs of submerged plants, earning it the nickname “Vallisneria grazer”.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Carsten Jensen Gissel
Photo: © Alessio Moriconi
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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