malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Protomelas sp. 'steveni imperial' Lupingu.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Lupingu'.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'lucerna north' Lupingu.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'minutus tanzania' Lupingu.jpg Tramitichromis brevis 'Lupingu'.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus sp. 'lucerna north' Lupingu
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Biotope: Shallow intermediate habitat with rocky substrate covered by biocover and algae.
Geographic distribution: Occurs along the northern shores of Tanzania, north of the Ruhuhu River, and is commonly found between Lupingu and the Ruhuhu River.
Diet: Feeds by picking algae from the biocover on rocks; individuals have not been observed twisting algae off rocks in the manner typical of Tropheops.
Breeding: Males defend feeding territories with great zeal; the center of each territory is typically a small hole excavated beneath small rocks.
Aggression: Very aggressive; males actively defend feeding territories.
Special notes: Member of the so-called “lucerna group”, characterized by an average-shaped body, a convex upper head profile, and a ventrally positioned mouth. It is the only member of the group lacking black spots on the trailing part of the dorsal fin. This form was previously considered a local form of Tropheops sp. ‘rust’ and may represent an intermediate between that genus and the lucerna group.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si