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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Petrotilapia sp. 'yellow chin' Maleri Island.jpg Protomelas ornatus 'Maleri Island'.jpg Protomelas sp. 'hertae' Maleri Island.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Maleri Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus purpuratus 'Maleri Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageProtomelas sp. 'hertae' Maleri Island
Genus: Protomelas
Biotope: Rocky habitat and rocky areas within the intermediate habitat, typically at depths of 5–15 m.
Geographic distribution: Likoma and Chizumulu Islands, Thumbi West Island, and the Maleri Islands.
Aquarium setup: Only one male per aquarium is recommended. Do not keep with Protomelas ornatus or P. sp. ‘mbenji thick-lip’.
Diet: Feeds from cracks in the substrate, taking insects, their larvae, and other soft invertebrates from the biocover. A juvenile fish was found in the stomach of one examined individual, indicating occasional piscivory.
Breeding: Breeding males occur throughout the year and defend a cave in the rocky habitat mainly against conspecifics. Females occur singly and guard fry for 1–2 weeks after first release.
Aggression: Males are almost permanently territorial in captivity and defend their cave primarily against conspecifics.
Special notes: Resembles Protomelas ornatus but differs by a typically faint basic pigmentation pattern with more pronounced horizontal elements. Adults of P. ornatus have much more swollen lips. The discontinuous distribution suggests an old species that may once have been more widespread.

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