Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Genus:	Labidochromis
Biotope:	Deep, sediment-rich rocky habitat; typically inhabits depths of 15 m or more, living among caves and rock crevices.
Geographic distribution:	Eastern Lake Malawi; recorded from Ngkuyo Island and along the rocky coast south of Mbamba Bay.
Typical adult size:	Up to 9 cm (males) / up to 7 cm (females).
Recommended aquarium size:	200 L
Aquarium setup:	Provide extensive rockwork with numerous caves and hiding places. One male should be kept with at least three females, though larger mixed groups are also possible. Avoid housing with larger, more aggressive mbuna.
Diet:	Herbivorous. Feeding observations and stomach-content examinations indicate a plant-based diet, with foraging occurring on the substrate and within rock crevices.
Aggression:	Males are territorial and defend a cave as their domain; females are solitary and rarely observed. Generally tolerant toward other species.
Special notes:	A very secretive species. Both sexes spend much of their time hidden in cracks and caves, with females frequently moving through the habitat in search of food. Unlike insectivorous Labidochromis species, this form shows clear herbivorous feeding behavior.