Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map

Protomelas taeniolatus 'Lion's Cove'.jpg

Pseudotropheus sp. 'polit' Lion's Cove.jpg

Genus:	Pseudotropheus
Biotope:	Rocky habitat at depths between 7–12 m, occasionally occurring in intermediate areas from 1–25 m.
Geographic distribution:	Known only from around Lion’s Cove on the central western coast of Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size:	Males up to about 9 cm total length; females up to about 7 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males are uniformly powder blue-white with a dark blue to black face and often show a purple hue; females are light purple-brown without vertical bars and display longitudinal melanin patches.
Recommended aquarium size:	An aquarium volume of 250 l or a minimum tank length of 120 cm is recommended.
Aquarium setup:	Arrange a sediment-free rocky environment with numerous shelters among rocks. Maintain 2–3 females per male or keep groups (e.g. 3 males with 6–7 females). Avoid housing with larger and more robust mbuna.
Diet:	Primarily herbivorous; feeds on algae and microorganisms extracted from aufwuchs, also consuming plankton when available.
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder. Males excavate a pit beneath a stone and defend a spawning territory; incubation lasts about 3 weeks.
Aggression:	Highly aggressive within the species; comparatively less aggressive toward other species.
Special notes:	A small, distinctive mbuna recognizable by the male’s uniform blue-white coloration with dark face and the short, broad snout bearing bicuspid teeth. Males can rapidly change coloration when disturbed. Closely associated with rocky habitats at Lion’s Cove and considered a dwarf, strongly territorial mbuna.