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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Harbour Island.jpg Chindongo sp. 'aggressive brown' Harbour Island.jpg Lethrinops altus 'Harbour Island'.jpg Lethrinops sp. 'yellow collar' Harbour Island.jpg Maylandia zebra 'Harbour Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageLethrinops altus 'Harbour Island'
Genus: Lethrinops
Type locality: Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Sandy habitats in shallow to deeper waters over open sand. Found mainly above sandy bottoms where it feeds by sifting the substrate.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs in suitable sandy habitats across the lake.
Typical adult size: 17 cm / 13 cm
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females and develop more intense coloration during breeding, often showing blue or yellowish hues. Females remain smaller and more subdued in colour.
Recommended aquarium size: 500 L
Aquarium setup: Provide extensive sandy substrate with fine sand. Break sandy areas with a few larger rocks while maintaining large open sand zones. Keep one male with several females and house only with other peaceful cichlids.
Diet: Carnivorous. Feeds on invertebrates, small crustaceans and insect larvae extracted from the sand by sifting mouthfuls of substrate.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Spawning takes place on sandy substrate, with males defending a spawning site while courting females in the surrounding area.
Aggression: Peaceful within the species and towards other species. Due to low intraspecific aggression, several males may display breeding coloration simultaneously in a group.
Special notes: A specialised sand-sifting cichlid adapted to open sandy habitats, where it forages in loose groups.

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