Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Aulonocara rostratum 'Chimwalani Reef'.jpg

Genus:	Aulonocara
Type locality:	Vua, Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa).
Biotope:	Open sand habitat. Typically found over wide sandy plains with little to no rock cover, occasionally over soft and muddy bottoms.
Geographic distribution:	Lake-wide distribution in Lake Malawi. Recorded from Mdoka, Msuli Point, Kande Island, Maleri Island, Chimwalani and Luwala reefs, and Hongi Island (Tanzania).
Typical adult size:	Males up to 20 cm; females up to 15 cm.
Sexual dimorphism:	Moderate. Males are larger and develop more intense breeding coloration; females remain smaller and more subdued in color.
Recommended aquarium size:	500 L (minimum tank length 150 cm)
Aquarium setup:	Large aquarium with extensive open sandy areas. Use fine sand as substrate; include only a few isolated rocks or plants for orientation. Avoid dense rockwork; this species is not adapted to rocky environments.
Diet:	Carnivorous. Feeds on small invertebrates and crustaceans living in the sand, detected using the enlarged cephalic sensory pores characteristic of the genus.
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder. Males form breeding leks and each excavates a shallow spawning crater in the sand. Craters are spaced roughly two meters apart and lack the raised rim typical of many other haplochromine bowers. Females normally forage separately and visit the male breeding grounds only when ready to spawn.
Aggression:	Low. Generally peaceful; territoriality is limited to breeding males defending their spawning craters.
Special notes:	One of the largest sand-dwelling Aulonocara species, easily recognized by its very long snout and relatively small eye. Juveniles may resemble Aulonocara guentheri, but the elongated snout of A. rostratum is already distinct at sizes below 10 cm. Although currently listed as Least Concern, intensive fishing of sand-dwelling cichlids may pose a future threat to this species. Rock-dwelling mbuna are unsuitable tankmates due to differing habitat and behavior.