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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Labidochromis shiranus 'Kanchedza Island'.jpg Maylandia xanstomachus 'Kanchedza Island'.jpg Nyassachromis boadzulu 'Kanchedza Island'.jpg Nyassachromis prostoma 'Kanchedza Island'.jpg Otopharynx tetrastigma 'Kanchedza Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageNyassachromis boadzulu 'Kanchedza Island'
Genus: Nyassachromis
Type locality: Boadzulu Island, South East Arm, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Shallow sandy areas in the southeastern arm of Lake Malawi, typically at depths of 5–15 m. Breeding males have been observed defending sand craters and cave-crater bowers in intermediate habitats, sometimes incorporating rocks into the spawning site.
Geographic distribution: Recorded from Boadzulu Island, White Rock, and Kancheza Island in the southeastern arm of the lake.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 17 cm total length; females up to about 13 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males in breeding coloration display a blue base color with vertical barring and a distinct horizontal mid-lateral stripe extending toward the caudal peduncle. A whitish to light-blue blaze is present on the head and continues as a pale marginal band in the dorsal fin. Females and juveniles are predominantly silvery.
Recommended aquarium size: A minimum tank length of 130 cm and a volume of 400 l are recommended.
Aquarium setup: An aquarium with ample open swimming space and fine sandy substrate is suitable. A few rock structures may be included. Can be maintained as a pair or in a group consisting of one male and several females.
Diet: Feeds on zooplankton captured in open water. The species has a protrusible mouth adapted for suction feeding.
Breeding: Males construct large sand craters on open sandy bottoms and court females with display behavior. Spawning occurs at the prepared site. The species is a maternal mouthbrooder; females incubate the eggs for approximately 21 days and produce broods of about 30–50 fry. In the wild, juveniles are often observed swimming in groups.
Aggression: Territorial during breeding, with males defending their constructed bowers.
Special notes: Belongs to the utaka group and is characterized by a distinct horizontal mid-lateral stripe. The name “boadzulu” has often been incorrectly applied to Protomelas taeniolatus from Namalenje Island. The true N. boadzulu is considered rare and forms small populations in sandy habitats of the southeastern arm of the lake.

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