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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas virgatus 'Harbour Island'.jpg Tropheops kumwera 'Harbour Island'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'masimbwe' Harbour Island.jpg Tropheops tropheops 'Harbour Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTropheops sp. 'masimbwe' Harbour Island<br><font color=gray>Tropheops novemfasciatus 'Harbour Island'</font>
Genus: Tropheops
Biotope: Shallow, sheltered bays in the south-eastern arm, typically in the upper four meters. Most abundant in sediment-rich intermediate habitats with small to medium rocks in vegetated areas, usually in or near beds of Vallisneria.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi and restricted to the south-eastern arm; recorded between Mvunguti and Nkopola on the western side and from Kadango to Chemwezi Rocks on the eastern side.
Sexual dimorphism: Females are smaller and less colourful than males, with shorter fins and smaller anal ocelli. Longitudinal rows of dots on the flanks are visible in females, juveniles, and submissive males, but not in dominant males.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of around 300 L or more is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide sufficient shelter using rocks, flat stones, bricks, or similar structures, arranged over large sandy patches.
Diet: Collects epiphytic growth from the surfaces of macrophytes and also feeds from the aufwuchs mat on rocks. In the aquarium it readily accepts a wide range of foods, but the diet should include a high proportion of vegetable matter to reduce the risk of over-growth and obesity.
Breeding: Maternal mouth-brooder. Males excavate a pit beneath a stone by removing sand, then court females with displaying and quivering and lead them to the spawning pit. Other fish are chased away during the spawning phase.
Aggression: Territorial males defend areas that are usually less than 1 m in diameter; saucer-shaped sand-scrape nests are often present within territories. Females and juveniles commonly occur in groups of 3–15 individuals.
Special notes: This species was previously confused with Tropheops novemfasciatus, but the true Pseudotropheus novemfasciatus represents a different species. The population restricted to the south-eastern arm of Lake Malawi is now referred to by Ad Konings as Tropheops sp. ‘masimbwe’. The provisional name “masimbwe” (local vernacular for Vallisneria) reflects its frequent occurrence in or near beds of Vallisneria.

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