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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Mylochromis sp. 'mollis gallireya' Gallireya Reef.jpg Petrotilapia xanthos 'Gallireya Reef'.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'perspicax hara' Gallireya Reef.jpg Tramitichromis intermedius 'Gallireya Reef'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'black hara' Gallireya Reef.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus sp. 'perspicax hara' Gallireya Reef
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat at Gallireya Reef, with volcanic-like rock formations; reef depth not exceeding about 12 m.
Geographic distribution: Only known from Gallireya Reef near Hara Village, Lake Malawi (Malawi).
Typical adult size: Approximately 8–9 cm total length in males.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger, with longer fins and a dominant coloration ranging from mustard yellow to orange-brown; females are dark brown with bold bars and an orange anal fin.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of at least 400 l is recommended to reduce intraspecific aggression.
Aquarium setup: Provide ample rock structure and keep in a spacious, polyspecific community aquarium to mitigate aggression.
Diet: Dentition suggests adaptation to algae scraping; external row of bicuspid teeth followed by smaller tricuspid rows.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; clutch size reported at about 10–15 eggs.
Aggression: Not strictly territorial but shows strong intraspecific aggression.
Special notes: A distinctive small-to-medium mbuna with a prominent external row of bicuspid teeth and smaller inner tricuspid rows. Males may show a black spot in the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin and light spots in the caudal fin. Although provisionally associated with the Pseudotropheus perspicax complex, it differs markedly in size, coloration, head morphology, and behavior. It shows some resemblance to species of Tropheops and to Pseudotropheus lucerna, but represents a distinct insular form.

Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Pete Barnes
Photo: © Pete Barnes
Photo: © Pete Barnes
Photo: © Pete Barnes
Photo: © Pete Barnes
Photo: © Elton Panagi
Photo: © Elton Panagi
Photo: © Elton Panagi
Photo: © Elton Panagi
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © K&C Rift Valley Cichlids UK
Photo: © Ricky Ward
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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