Masimbwe Island, off the southern tip of Likoma Island, Lake Malawi.
Biotope:
Shallow rocky littoral zone with boulders and crevices; wave-exposed areas.
Geographic distribution:
Endemic to Masimbwe Island, south of Likoma Island, Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size:
Up to 8.5 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism:
Males are more vividly colored with bold dark vertical bars; females are duller with faint striping.
Recommended aquarium size:
200 L
Aquarium setup:
Rocky setup with plenty of caves and hiding places. Best kept in harems
(one male with several females). Avoid aggressive mbuna.
Diet:
Primarily herbivorous, grazing aufwuchs and filamentous algae.
In aquaria offer spirulina-based foods and vegetable matter,
with only limited animal protein.
Aggression:
Moderately territorial; aggression mainly between males.
Generally peaceful compared to many mbuna.
Special notes:
Extremely restricted distribution. Classified as Endangered (IUCN).
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