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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas sp. 'oxyrhynchus mix' Thumbi West Island.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus interruptus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus purpuratus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'tiny' Thumbi West Island.jpg
Previous pageNext pagePseudotropheus interruptus 'Thumbi West Island'
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Type locality: Likoma Island, Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat.
Geographic distribution: Originally occurred only around Chizumulu Island, but was later introduced at Nkhata Bay and Thumbi West Island.
Typical adult size: In the wild males attain about 8 cm total length, with females remaining approximately 10% smaller. In aquarium conditions both sexes may exceed 10 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Breeding males are almost entirely blue-black with one or two horizontal rows of pale blue spots, while females and juveniles are bright yellow.
Recommended aquarium size: An aquarium volume of 250 L is recommended.
Aquarium setup: Provide numerous rocks and caves forming a sediment-free rocky structure with ample hiding places. Males defend small territories, therefore multiple shelters are required if more than one male is kept.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous. Feeds predominantly on aufwuchs, scraping algae and associated microorganisms from rocks. Blue-green algae and diatoms constitute the main food source, although small invertebrates may also be consumed.
Breeding: Maternal mouth-brooder. Spawning takes place between rocks. Females brood 10–30 eggs for about 20 days and refrain from feeding during incubation.
Aggression: Males can be aggressive towards conspecifics. Toward other species they are generally tolerant, mainly showing increased aggression during spawning.
Special notes: Part of a small group of closely related horizontally striped mbuna including P. johannii, P. perileucos and P. cyaneorhabdos. Introduced populations have maintained species-specific characteristics. Historically placed in Melanochromis due to superficial resemblance, but later reassigned to Pseudotropheus.

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