Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Genus:	Lethrinops
Type locality:	Lake Chilingali.
Biotope:	A small, shallow muddy lake with extensive beds of macrophytes.
Geographic distribution:	Apparently endemic to Lake Chilingali, a satellite lake of Lake Malawi located inland of the town of Nkhotakota. The species seems to occur throughout the lake.
Typical adult size:	Adult males generally reach about 8–8.5 cm SL (10.5–11.5 cm TL) in nature. Females are smaller, around 7 cm SL (8.5 cm TL). The largest known specimen is a paratype of 81.2 mm SL (9.7 cm TL).
Sexual dimorphism:	Males are larger, with longer dorsal, anal and pelvic fins, and in breeding condition turn brilliant metallic blue-green with orange spots on the dorsal and caudal fins. Females remain pale with dark horizontal markings and lack bright coloration.
Recommended aquarium size:	A breeding group of one male with 6–8 females can be maintained in an aquarium of approximately 250 litres or larger.
Aquarium setup:	Open areas with sand or fine substrate for bower-building are appreciated. Plants are largely ignored. The species tolerates a wide range of water conditions (22–28 °C, neutral to slightly alkaline, moderately hard water) and does not cope well with harassment by aggressive cichlids.
Diet:	Stomach content analyses showed that more than 80% of the diet consists of Chaoborus larvae and pupae, with additional crustacean zooplankton (cladocerans) and occasional odonate nymphs. Little detritus was found, suggesting feeding mainly in the water column.
Breeding:	A maternal mouth-brooder. In captivity, males build mounds from sand or mud and attract females to spawn nearby. Males become territorial when females are approaching ripeness, while females do not appear to guard free- swimming fry.
Aggression:	Generally peaceful and inoffensive towards other species, but breeding males can be territorial and may harass females or fight with rival males, especially in confined conditions.
Special notes:	The species appears to be restricted to a very small and environmentally unstable satellite lake that has undergone major hydrological changes.