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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Petrotilapia flaviventris 'Chiwi Rock'.jpg Petrotilapia palingnathos 'Chiwi Rock'.jpg Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Chiwi Rocks'.jpg Sciaenochromis fryeri 'Chiwi Rocks'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'red cheek' Chiwi Rocks.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus interruptus 'Chiwi Rocks'
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.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Carsten Jensen Gissel
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © Alistair Inker
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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