Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Chiwi Rocks'.jpg

Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Chizumulu Island'.jpg

Pseudotropheus interruptus (unknown locality)

Genus:	Pseudotropheus
Type locality:	Likoma Island, Lake Malawi.
Biotope:	Sediment-free rocky habitat.
Geographic distribution:	Originally occurred only around Chizumulu Island, but was later introduced at Nkhata Bay and Thumbi West Island.
Typical adult size:	In the wild males attain about 8 cm total length, with females remaining approximately 10% smaller. In aquarium conditions both sexes may exceed 10 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:	Breeding males are almost entirely blue-black with one or two horizontal rows of pale blue spots, while females and juveniles are bright yellow.
Recommended aquarium size:	An aquarium volume of 250 L is recommended.
Aquarium setup:	Provide numerous rocks and caves forming a sediment-free rocky structure with ample hiding places. Males defend small territories, therefore multiple shelters are required if more than one male is kept.
Diet:	Primarily herbivorous. Feeds predominantly on aufwuchs, scraping algae and associated microorganisms from rocks. Blue-green algae and diatoms constitute the main food source, although small invertebrates may also be consumed.
Breeding:	Maternal mouth-brooder. Spawning takes place between rocks. Females brood 10–30 eggs for about 20 days and refrain from feeding during incubation.
Aggression:	Males can be aggressive towards conspecifics. Toward other species they are generally tolerant, mainly showing increased aggression during spawning.
Special notes:	Part of a small group of closely related horizontally striped mbuna including P. johannii, P. perileucos and P. cyaneorhabdos. Introduced populations have maintained species-specific characteristics. Historically placed in Melanochromis due to superficial resemblance, but later reassigned to Pseudotropheus.