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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas spilopterus 'Luwala Reef'.jpg Protomelas spilopterus 'Mdoka'.jpg
Next pageProtomelas spilopterus 'Luwala Reef'
Genus: Protomelas
Type locality: Shire Bar to Nkhudzi, Lake Malawi, Malawi.
Biotope: Benthopelagic in open water over sandy and rocky substrates; also associated with rocky shores and weed beds.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Lake Malawi; distributed throughout the lake.
Typical adult size: Up to 24 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and display bright coloration with prominent yellow eggspots on the anal fin, while females are smaller and more subdued in color.
Aquarium setup: Requires ample open swimming space with sandy substrate and rock structures for territories. Water temperature 24–26 °C.
Diet: Primarily paedophagous, feeding on eggs and fry of other cichlids; trophic level approximately 3.3.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend territories during spawning and display egg-mimic spots on the anal fin; females incubate eggs in the buccal cavity for about three weeks.
Aggression: Males become territorial during breeding and may defend small areas against conspecifics and other fish.
Special notes: Originally described as Haplochromis spilopterus (Trewavas, 1935) and later placed in Protomelas. Characterized by thick lips, large eyes, and a fusiform body. The combination Hemitaeniochromis spilopterus is used by cichlidae.com.

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Photo: © Larry Johnson
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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