Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Placidochromis phenochilus 'Mdoka Reef'.jpg

Genus:	Placidochromis
Type locality:	Vua, Lake Malawi.
Biotope:	Sandy habitats at moderately deep levels, generally deeper than 15 m.
Geographic distribution:	North-western Lake Malawi, including Mdoka, Chesese and Chirwa Island. Most aquarium specimens originate from Mdoka.
Typical adult size:	Wild size not precisely documented; imported males measure about 12–15 cm TL and may exceed 20 cm TL in long-term aquarium conditions.
Sexual dimorphism:	Sexual dichromatism is absent. Males grow larger than females and develop longer fins and a more pronounced mouth. Older females may lose the intense blue coloration and appear pale.
Recommended aquarium size:	A minimum aquarium volume of 500 l is recommended for a group of 5–6 individuals. In mixed tanks with large sand-foraging species, 800–1000 l is required.
Aquarium setup:	Provide extensive open sand areas with limited rockwork. Water should be clean, well filtered and strongly oxygenated, with a pH around 7.8–8 and a temperature near 25 °C. The species is sensitive to poor water quality and benefits from frequent, moderate feeding rather than large meals.
Diet:	Feeds by hovering above sand and collecting edible particles, often exploiting sediment disturbed by large sand-foraging genera such as Taeniolethrinops and Fossorochromis. In aquaria it accepts small frozen foods such as Artemia and Cyclops, supplemented with quality dry foods.
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder. Males select a sheltered site and court females with display movements before spawning. Eggs are collected and incubated in the female’s mouth for about 3 weeks at 25 °C. Fry are released gradually once the female perceives sufficient safety.
Aggression:	Quarrelsome mainly toward conspecific males, but serious damage is uncommon due to relatively weak bites. Males engage in frequent mouth contests.
Special notes:	Recognized by its deep blue coloration and distinct white snout tip. Juveniles show a barred pattern similar to members of the P. electra group. Evaluated as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (2018). Sexual dichromatism is absent, which is unusual among haplochromines.