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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Chindongo sp. 'perspicax yellow breast' Pombo Rocks
Genus: Chindongo
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat. Typically occurs over rock and stony substrates in shallow water, often near the rock–sand interface.
Geographic distribution: Tanzania coast of Lake Malawi. Reported from Pombo Rocks and also from Undu Point / Undu Reef (likely wider than a single locality, but exact range remains uncertain).
Typical adult size: Males up to about 9 cm, females around 7 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are slightly larger and more intensely colored (blue with brown-yellow throat/breast to head markings). Females are smaller and duller, with shorter fins.
Recommended aquarium size: 250 L (minimum 200 L).
Aquarium setup: Provide abundant rockwork with many crevices and caves for territories and shelter. Use fine quartz sand as substrate. Keeping a group helps spread aggression; ensure many visual barriers.
Diet: Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer. In nature feeds mainly on algae and biofilm from rocks. In the aquarium offer vegetable-rich foods with spirulina/algae-based staples; avoid heavy animal-protein diets.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend small territories centered on a rock crevice or cave; females are generally solitary and not strongly site-loyal.
Aggression: Aggressive toward conspecifics and can be nippy toward other mbuna. Best kept with robust tank mates and plenty of structure to break line of sight.
Special notes: Very similar to the “pseudoperspicax/perspicax-like” complex; identification is frequently confused in the hobby. The brown-yellow head/throat/breast marking can vary between individuals (from throat/chest up onto the head), which has contributed to trade-name confusion.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ems-Vechte-Aquaristik
Photo: © Ems-Vechte-Aquaristik
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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