malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Buccochromis atritaeniatus
Genus: Buccochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi
Biotope: Open sandy areas, often in deeper water. Likely associated with open sand away from dense rock structures.
Geographic distribution: Lake Malawi. Exact distribution within the lake is poorly documented.
Typical adult size: Approximately 20 cm
Sexual dimorphism: Males develop stronger coloration and longer fins when mature; females remain smaller and more plainly colored.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 500 L
Aquarium setup: Large aquarium with extensive open swimming space. Fine sand substrate recommended. Only minimal rock structures, mainly for visual boundaries.
Diet: Piscivorous predator. Feeds primarily on smaller fish in nature.
Breeding: Mouthbrooder. Detailed breeding behavior in the wild is poorly documented.
Aggression: Predatory and dominant. Not suitable for community aquaria with small or passive species.
Special notes: Species is often confused with other Buccochromis due to overlapping morphology and historical misidentifications. Reliable field data are scarce and some literature references may be based on mixed material.

Photo gallery

Photo: © George Turner
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si