Rocky littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island, including
shallow, wave-exposed areas with boulders, slabs, and crevices,
as well as calm waters of sediment-rich bays.
Geographic distribution:
Endemic to Lake Malawi; known exclusively from the rocky
littoral zones surrounding Mumbo Island.
Typical adult size:
Up to 9.0 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:
No pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration has been
documented; males tend to be larger than females.
Diet:
Primarily feeds on invertebrates associated with aufwuchs,
including insect larvae, ostracods, and small gastropods,
with incidental ingestion of algal material.
Breeding:
Maternal mouthbrooder; eggs are externally fertilized and
incubated in the female’s buccal cavity for approximately
three weeks before fry are released.
Aggression:
Neither males nor females are territorial; aggression levels
are low compared to many other mbuna species.
Special notes:
Assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; characterized
by a stout pharyngeal bone with molariform teeth adapted for
crushing hard-shelled invertebrates.
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