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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Nimbochromis livingstonii 'Cobwe'.jpg Otopharynx heterodon 'Cobwe'.jpg Petrotilapia flaviventris 'Cobwe'.jpg Placidochromis johnstoni 'Cobwe'.jpg Protomelas sp. 'steveni imperial' Cobwe.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePetrotilapia flaviventris 'Cobwe'
Genus: Petrotilapia
Type locality: Same Bay, Chizumulu Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Intermediate and rocky habitat. Occurs in sediment-rich shoreline stretches, and is most common in deeper water at 5–10 m, although it may also be encountered in shallow intermediate habitat close to the surface.
Geographic distribution: Found at Chizumulu Island (Malawi), and also recorded between Mbweca (Mozambique) and Undu Point (Tanzania).
Typical adult size: Adult males reach about 15–16 cm total length, while females typically remain smaller at about 12–13 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Females are light brown to silver-yellow (yellow-brown) and show interrupted black horizontal striping with a faint pattern of vertical bars; two horizontal rows of spots may be visible on the body.
Males are larger and much more colourful, with blue and yellow patterning; in many populations the body is blue with a variable yellow ventral region, while at some localities (Cobwé and Lumbaulo) males can be entirely yellow. Some populations show irregular blue-and-yellow patterning across the body.
Recommended aquarium size: 600 L (a minimum tank length of about 200 cm is advised).
Aquarium setup: Provide a large tank (around 200 cm minimum length) with extensive rockwork to replicate a rocky setting, including caves and sheltered retreats. Caves should allow the female(s) to withdraw but be too small for the male to enter.
Diet: Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer, primarily harvesting diatoms and other small algae from the algal matrix on rocks. It feeds by pressing the mouth to the substrate and raking through the aufwuchs with multi-row, three-pronged teeth, removing sediment and loose material along with the algal layer.
Breeding: Males defend relatively large territories (about 4 m in diameter) centred on a spawning site, typically a small cave among rocks or beneath an overhanging boulder. Spawning occurs in the male’s cave; females may visit several males to have broods fertilised. Females are maternal mouthbrooders and remain solitary while incubating, hiding among rocks in shallow intermediate habitat.
Incubation lasts about three weeks; fry are released and then abandoned, and begin feeding on algae soon after release.
Aggression: Males are strongly territorial and can be highly aggressive within the species and towards similar-looking species, especially those resembling the male breeding coloration. Keeping more than one male together is strongly discouraged; a single male with several females is recommended, with ample shelter for females.
Special notes: This species was previously referred to as P. sp. ‘yellow ventral’ and is part of the informal P. nigra group associated with somewhat deeper, sediment-richer rocky habitats.
Along the shoreline between Mbweca (Mozambique) and Undu Point (Tanzania), steep rocky habitats are limited; only at Lumbaulo (and possibly Liutche) is the rocky habitat described as sediment-free, yet P. flaviventris and P. genalutea occur there.
Male colour patterns vary geographically: some populations show irregular blue-and-yellow patterning across the body (e.g., Hai Reef, Undu Point, Ntumba), many populations have a blue body with a variable yellow ventral region, and at Cobwé and Lumbaulo males may be entirely yellow. Females show the rows-of-spots and subdued bars typical of the nigra group.

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