malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Melanochromis baliodigma 'Gome'.jpg Melanochromis dialeptos 'Gome Rock'.jpg Melanochromis simulans 'Gome Rock'.jpg Mylochromis epichorialis 'Gome'.jpg Mylochromis sp. 'lateristriga makanjila' Gome Rock.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMelanochromis simulans 'Gome Rock'
Genus: Melanochromis
Type locality: Cape Ngombo, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Rocky and intermediate habitats. Often associated with rocks but frequently ventures over sand in the sand–rock interface zone.
Geographic distribution: East coast of Lake Malawi between Makanjila Point (Malawi) and Nkhungu Point (Mozambique).
Typical adult size: Males attain about 11 cm total length; females remain approximately one fifth smaller.
Sexual dimorphism: Females are light coloured with an elongated body shape. Breeding males resemble those of M. auratus and M. mossambiquensis but have a longer snout and a shallower body.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 400 L is recommended.
Diet: Predatory omnivore. Feeds close to the substrate from the biocover and searches primarily for invertebrates rather than grazing algae. Also attracted to stirred-up material.
Breeding: Males in breeding coloration are infrequently observed and territorial males have not been recorded in the wild. Individuals are generally solitary and show aggression only upon encountering rival males. Females are maternal mouthbrooders and may be seen in small groups.
Aggression: Moderate in the wild; males are aggressive toward conspecific males when encountered. In aquaria males become strongly territorial and should be kept singly.
Special notes: An elongate species with a long snout and relatively shallow body. Less common than sympatric M. dialeptos and M. wochepa. Often occurs at depths of 10–20 m and occasionally deeper than 20 m. Specimens may appear washed out after collection but regain full coloration under stable aquarium conditions.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Carsten Jensen Gissel
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si