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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Oreochromis shiranus 'Machili Island'.jpg Petrotilapia flaviventris 'Machili Island'.jpg Petrotilapia pyroscelos 'Machili Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Machili Island'.jpg Tropheops sp. 'yellow chin' Machili Island.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePetrotilapia pyroscelos 'Machili Island'
Genus: Petrotilapia
Type locality: Same Bay, Chizumulu Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Biotope: Shallow rocky and intermediate habitats; most common in shallow wave-washed rocky areas free of sediment. Rarely recorded deeper than 5 m.
Geographic distribution: Known from Chizumulu Island; recorded at Chiwi Rocks, Mkanila Bay, and Same Bay.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 17 cm total length; females rarely exceed about 14 cm. Another reported maximum total length is 15 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Males sky-blue with bright orange-red ventral fins; females beige to chocolate brown with a distinct row of black blotches on the flank. Both sexes possess a black submarginal band in the dorsal fin.
Recommended aquarium size: Minimum tank length about 200 cm.
Aquarium setup: Rocky layout with caves for spawning and retreats, including shelters too small for the male to enter. Avoid keeping more than one male in the same aquarium. Select tankmates with different male breeding coloration. A mouth-brooding female can be separated from the male until fry are released. Recommended pH 7.0–8.5 and temperature 23–28 °C.
Diet: Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer; scrapes diatoms and small algae from rock surfaces using specialized lips and multiple rows of tricuspid teeth. Feeding activity leaves clearly cleaned substrate patches.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding males defend territories about 5 m in diameter centered on a cave, often with an entrance at the base near sand. Spawning occurs inside the cave; females may visit multiple males. Incubation lasts about three weeks, after which fry are released and immediately begin feeding from aufwuchs.
Aggression: Breeding males are territorial; females and non-breeding males are solitary.
Special notes: Distinguished by a distinct black submarginal band in the spinous part of the dorsal fin in both sexes. Member of the informal P. genalutea group characterized by such a band and dark flank blotches.

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Photo: © Larry Johnson
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