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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Petrotilapia palingnathos 'Linganjala Reef'.jpg Protomelas sp. 'hertae' Linganjala Reef.jpg Tropheops macrophthalmus 'Linganjala Reef'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'elongatus chizumulu' Linganjala Reef.jpg Tropheops sp. 'yellow chin' Linganjala Reef.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTropheops macrophthalmus 'Linganjala Reef'
Genus: Tropheops
Type locality: Lumbira, Lake Malawi, Tanzanian
Biotope: Inhabits rocky habitat without significant sediment, occurring over rock substrates and along rock–sand interfaces to depths of at least 12 m.
Geographic distribution: Recorded from Matema to Kirondo along the eastern Tanzanian coast and from Mdoka to Chirwa Island along the western Malawian coast; also reported from Chizumulu Island.
Typical adult size: A medium-large species reaching approximately 11–13 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males display a plain lemon-yellow coloration, usually with a single large anal ocellus, longer fins and a broader anal egg-spot; females are pinkish to beige-yellow with dotted fins and smaller ocelli.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 300 L with a minimum tank length of 120 cm is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide abundant rock structures and shelters forming territories and spawning sites. Males defend relatively large areas for feeding and breeding.
Diet: Primarily algivorous; feeds on aufwuchs by firmly grasping attached algae with closely set teeth and shaking to detach it from the substrate. Plankton is also consumed.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males excavate a pit beneath a stone and defend the spawning territory; females incubate eggs and fry in the mouth for about three weeks before release.
Aggression: Very aggressive toward conspecifics and other tank inhabitants. Males are highly territorial and defend large feeding and spawning areas.
Special notes: Characterized by a very high-bodied form, steep angular head profile and extremely narrow mouth among the most specialized within the genus. Part of the so-called “Midas mbuna” group of uniformly yellow species that show strong colour convergence across genera, typically with a single large anal ocellus in males. Some populations show variation in intensity of yellow coloration and anal fin patterning.

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