Maylandia flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock'; Metriaclima flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock'; Maylandia sp. 'elongatus yellow tail' Zimbawe Rock

Maylandia flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock'<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock'<br>Maylandia sp. 'elongatus yellow tail' Zimbawe Rock</font>

Genus:	Maylandia
Type locality:	Zimbawe Rock, Lake Malaŵi, Malawi
Biotope:	Sediment-free rocky habitat at 5–25 m, with large boulders creating caves and crevices used as shelter and spawning sites.
Geographic distribution:	Known from Zimbawe Rock and from a tiny rocky reef just south of Mumbo Island (Chimney Rock).
Typical adult size:	In the wild, males are estimated to reach about 13 cm total length, while in aquaria they may grow a few centimeters larger; females remain about 1-2 cm smaller.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males in territorial coloration are light blue with 5–6 distinct black bars; head black with two light-blue interorbital bars and a dark brown throat. Pelvic fins black; anal fin black; dorsal fin black with yellow to orange distal spots. Caudal fin is yellow in the type-locality population (Zimbawe Rock); males at Chimney Rock may show a blue tail. Females are beige-brown to light blue without distinct bars, with a white to beige belly and breast; head beige to brown with blue-green highlights, green to light gray interorbital bars, and a white throat.
Recommended aquarium size:	300 L (minimum length 120 cm).
Aquarium setup:	Provide extensive rockwork with many caves and hiding places; ensure at least one cave per male. Fine sand is preferred. Keep with other robust omnivorous mbuna. Males can be highly territorial; avoid multiple adult males unless the aquarium is very large and offers strong visual barriers.
Diet:	Omnivorous. Grazes aufwuchs (diatoms and cyanobacteria strands) from rocks and frequently feeds on plankton in open water; stomach-content studies have shown plankton can form a large part of the diet.
Breeding:	Territorial males defend caves between rocks; territories may be close together in suitable habitat. Spawning takes place inside the male’s cave. Females are maternal mouthbrooders; broods are typically 10–30 eggs, with release after about three to three and a half weeks, followed by abandonment.
Aggression:	Very aggressive within the species. Toward other species, aggression is usually most pronounced around spawning time.
Special notes:	The elongate body form is associated with life in crevices between rocks.

Photo gallery

Maylandia flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock' — Photo: © Ad Konings

Maylandia flavicauda 'Zimbawe Rock' — Photo: © Ad Konings