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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Tramitichromis brevis 'Lupingu'.jpg Tropheops gracilior 'Lupingu'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'mauve yellow' Lupingu.jpg Tropheops sp. 'olive' Lupingu.jpg Tyrannochromis maculiceps 'Lupingu'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageTropheops sp. 'mauve yellow' Lupingu
Genus: Tropheops
Biotope: Rocky habitat, associated with clear-water, sediment-free conditions.
Geographic distribution: Reported along the eastern shore from Makonde (Tanzania) to Chiloleo (Mozambique).
Typical adult size: Males reach approximately 13 cm in total length, while females reach about 10 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and show breeding colours that range from yellowish-blue to entirely blue depending on locality, while females remain entirely yellow.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 300 L is recommended, with a minimum tank length of 120 cm.
Aquarium setup: Provide ample rockwork and shelters so weaker individuals can retreat.
Diet: Herbivorous, feeding by grazing and scraping algae from the aufwuchs.
Aggression: Aggressive within the species, but generally tolerant towards other species.
Special notes: Recognised as a distinct taxon after observations at Magunga (Tanzania) indicated two similar species occurring together: males of this form were found to be entirely blue, while the corresponding females were silvery rather than yellow. Across its range, male colour may be entirely blue or blue with a yellow patch on the head, breast, and shoulders, with the yellow sometimes restricted to the lower part of the head. This species is characterised by males with a black band in the anal fin and by yellow females, and it has been confused with Tropheops macrophthalmus, whose males lack a black band in the anal fin and whose females are brown.

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