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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas taeniolatus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Pseudotropheus livingstonii 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'acei' Luwala Reef.jpg Sciaenochromis fryeri 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Stigmatochromis melanchros 'Luwala Reef'.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus sp. 'acei' Luwala Reef
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Biotope: Sandy environment at depths of 12–25 m; also associated with submerged tree branches and trunks covered with aufwuchs.
Geographic distribution: Western shore south of Nkhata Bay, recorded at Msuli, Dwanga and Senga Bay; on the eastern shore at Luwala and Chimwalani (Eccles) Reef.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 14 cm total length and females up to about 12 cm.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 300 l is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide abundant rockwork arranged to create numerous passages and hiding places.
Diet: Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer. Feeds on algae growing on submerged wood in shallow areas and may also consume plankton and small invertebrates from sandy substrates.
Breeding: Breeds throughout the year in captivity. In the aquarium males excavate spawning pits between rocks and defend territories; in the lake, breeding males are not territorial and do not construct pits.
Aggression: Relatively peaceful within the species and toward other species; multiple males can be kept together.
Special notes: Closely related to Pseudotropheus elegans. Differs from that species by lacking black submarginal bands in the pelvic and anal fins and in the lower lobe of the caudal fin. Shows bright yellow fins with a bluish body and has bicuspid teeth.
Northern populations from Ngara, Karonga and Itungi, previously included in P. sp. ‘acei’ and known in the hobby as “White-Tail Acei”, are currently are currently regarded as variants of P. elegans (on our website these northern populations are listed as P. cf. elegans to reflect their distinction from typical P. elegans).

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Luca Zuccaro
Photo: © Luca Zuccaro
Photo: © Stanislaw Gajaszek
Photo: © Tomas Vrzal
Photo: © Tomas Vrzal
Photo: © Tomas Vrzal
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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