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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Maylandia zebra 'Nkolongwe'.jpg Melanochromis melanopterus 'Nkolongwe'.jpg Melanochromis mossambiquensis 'Nkolongwe'.jpg Otopharynx auromarginatus 'Nkolongwe'.jpg Otopharynx sp. 'auromarginatus goldhead' Nkolongwe.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMelanochromis mossambiquensis 'Nkolongwe'
Genus: Melanochromis
Type locality: Minos Reef, Lake Malawi, Mozambique
Biotope: Intermediate sand–rock interface habitat. Very common on small rocks of the intermediate zone, where it feeds from the biocover.
Geographic distribution: Occurs along the Mozambican coast between Chuanga and Nkhungu Reef.
Typical adult size: Males attain a maximum total length of about 11 cm; females remain approximately one fifth smaller.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 400 L is recommended.
Diet: Omnivorous. Feeds mainly on algae from the aufwuchs but also consumes invertebrates and other available food items. Most of the time it nibbles from the biocover and is attracted to stirred-up debris. Foraging groups are commonly encountered.
Breeding: Males in breeding coloration are usually solitary and rarely join foraging groups. Territoriality is uncommon, but quarrels between breeding males occur and mainly consist of chasing rivals from feeding sites. Spawning takes place at suitable sites within the rocky habitat. Mouthbrooding females hide among rocks and remain solitary.
Aggression: Intraspecific aggression occurs mainly among breeding males, particularly at feeding sites, but sustained territorial behaviour is rare.
Special notes: Distinguished from M. auratus by the presence of black spots in the lower lobe of the female caudal fin and by the absence of a narrow yellow mid-lateral stripe in males. Within its distribution it is the only member of the closely related M. auratus group occupying the rocky biotope and shows no marked specialization in feeding or habitat use. Populations at Metangula and N’kolongwe exhibit slightly longer snouts and shallower bodies; males in the southern range are blue-black with light-blue stripes, while those farther north are brown-blue with light brown stripes.

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