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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Pombo Rocks.jpg Chindongo demasoni 'Pombo Rocks'.jpg Chindongo sp. 'perspicax yellow breast' Pombo Rocks.jpg Cynotilapia zebroides 'Pombo Rocks'.jpg Labeotropheus fuelleborni 'Pombo Rocks'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageChindongo sp. 'perspicax yellow breast' Pombo Rocks
Genus: Chindongo
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat. Typically occurs over rock and stony substrates in shallow water, often near the rock–sand interface.
Geographic distribution: Tanzania coast of Lake Malawi. Reported from Pombo Rocks and also from Undu Point / Undu Reef (likely wider than a single locality, but exact range remains uncertain).
Typical adult size: Males up to about 9 cm, females around 7 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are slightly larger and more intensely colored (blue with brown-yellow throat/breast to head markings). Females are smaller and duller, with shorter fins.
Recommended aquarium size: 250 L (minimum 200 L).
Aquarium setup: Provide abundant rockwork with many crevices and caves for territories and shelter. Use fine quartz sand as substrate. Keeping a group helps spread aggression; ensure many visual barriers.
Diet: Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer. In nature feeds mainly on algae and biofilm from rocks. In the aquarium offer vegetable-rich foods with spirulina/algae-based staples; avoid heavy animal-protein diets.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend small territories centered on a rock crevice or cave; females are generally solitary and not strongly site-loyal.
Aggression: Aggressive toward conspecifics and can be nippy toward other mbuna. Best kept with robust tank mates and plenty of structure to break line of sight.
Special notes: Very similar to the “pseudoperspicax/perspicax-like” complex; identification is frequently confused in the hobby. The brown-yellow head/throat/breast marking can vary between individuals (from throat/chest up onto the head), which has contributed to trade-name confusion.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ems-Vechte-Aquaristik
Photo: © Ems-Vechte-Aquaristik
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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