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. 'virgatus luwala' Luwala Reef.jpg Protomelas spilonotus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Protomelas spilopterus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Pseudotropheus livingstonii 'Luwala Reef'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageProtomelas spilopterus 'Luwala Reef'
Genus: Protomelas
Type locality: Shire Bar to Nkhudzi, Lake Malawi, Malawi.
Biotope: Benthopelagic in open water over sandy and rocky substrates; also associated with rocky shores and weed beds.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi; distributed throughout the lake.
Typical adult size: Up to 24 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and display bright coloration with prominent yellow eggspots on the anal fin, while females are smaller and more subdued in color.
Aquarium setup: Requires ample open swimming space with sandy substrate and rock structures for territories. Water temperature 24–26 °C.
Diet: Primarily paedophagous, feeding on eggs and fry of other cichlids; trophic level approximately 3.3.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend territories during spawning and display egg-mimic spots on the anal fin; females incubate eggs in the buccal cavity for about three weeks.
Aggression: Males become territorial during breeding and may defend small areas against conspecifics and other fish.
Special notes: Originally described as Haplochromis spilopterus (Trewavas, 1935) and later placed in Protomelas. Characterized by thick lips, large eyes, and a fusiform body. The combination Hemitaeniochromis spilopterus is used by cichlidae.com.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Larry Johnson
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