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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Chindongo demasoni.jpg Chindongo demasoni 'Ndumbi Point'.jpg Chindongo demasoni 'Ndumbi Reef'.jpg Chindongo demasoni 'Pombo Rocks'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageChindongo demasoni 'Ndumbi Point'
Genus: Chindongo
Type locality: Pombo Rocks, Lake Malawi (Tanzania)
Biotope: Shallow rocky habitat, mainly between 0 and 4 m depth. Individuals are evenly distributed throughout the habitat, each occupying a feeding area of roughly 2 m in diameter on rock surfaces covered with aufwuchs.
Geographic distribution: Very restricted distribution. Endemic to Pombo Rocks and nearby Ndumbi Point along the Tanzanian coast of Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Males up to about 8 cm in the wild (up to ~10 cm in aquaria); females smaller, up to about 6.5 cm.
Sexual dimorphism: Minimal. Males and females share the same blue-and-black barred coloration. Dominant males may show slightly more intense coloration.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 300 L; larger aquaria strongly recommended due to intraspecific aggression.
Aquarium setup: Dense rockwork with many hiding places. Strong water movement is beneficial. Best kept in large groups (12 or more individuals) to distribute aggression. Species-only aquaria are strongly recommended.
Diet: Strictly herbivorous mbuna. Feeds primarily on algae scraped from aufwuchs. Requires a diet rich in spirulina and other plant matter; high-protein foods should be avoided due to risk of digestive disorders.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Spawning occurs without permanent territories in the wild. Females incubate small broods (often fewer than 10 eggs) for about three weeks.
Aggression: Highly aggressive in aquaria, especially toward conspecifics, despite relatively peaceful behavior in the wild. Aggression is best managed by keeping large groups.
Special notes: One of the smallest mbuna species. Extremely popular in the hobby but naturally very range-restricted, which makes wild populations vulnerable despite extensive captive breeding.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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