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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas taeniolatus 'Chitande Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus benetos 'Chitande Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus elegans 'Chitande Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus lucerna 'Chitande Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus perspicax 'Chitande Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus elegans 'Chitande Island'
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Type locality: Chilumba Bay, Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Primarily associated with sandy areas and the rock–sand interface. Frequently found near submerged tree branches and trunks covered with aufwuchs.
Geographic distribution: Occurs in the northern part of Lake Malawi, including Chilumba Bay and Chitande Island. Also recorded further south at Kasinda (Selewa). Northern populations from Ngara, Karonga and Itungi have been regarded by some authors as variants of this species.
Typical adult size: Males reach about 14 cm and females about 12 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are slightly larger and may develop a deeper blue body coloration. Both sexes show a grey-blue body with a yellowish dorsal fin. A black submarginal band is present in the pelvic and anal fins and in the lower lobe of the caudal fin.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 300 L is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide ample rockwork forming passages and hiding places. Open sandy areas may also be included. Due to its relatively peaceful nature, several males can be maintained in a suitably sized aquarium.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous. Feeds on aufwuchs growing on submerged wood and other substrates, occasionally consuming plankton and small invertebrates from sandy areas.
Breeding: Maternal mouth-brooder. In captivity males may excavate pits between rocks and defend small territories. Females incubate eggs and fry in the mouth for approximately 3 weeks.
Aggression: Generally peaceful both within the species and toward other mbuna. Considered one of the calmer members of the genus.
Special notes: Closely related to Pseudotropheus sp. ‘acei’. Distinguished from that species by the presence of black submarginal bands in the pelvic and anal fins and in the lower lobe of the caudal fin. The type locality is Chilumba Bay and the species is common at Chitande Island just north of the bay, as well as at Kasinda (Selewa). Northern populations from Ngara, Karonga and Itungi, known in the hobby as “White-Tail Acei”, were previously included in Pseudotropheus sp. ‘acei’ and are regarded by some authors as variants of P. elegans. Based on our evaluation we consider these northern populations to differ from typical P. elegans and, until their status is clarified, we refer to them on our website as Pseudotropheus cf. elegans.

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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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