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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Maylandia phaeos 'Hai Reef'.jpg Maylandia phaeos 'Londo Bay'.jpg Maylandia phaeos 'Undu Reef'.jpg
Previous pageMaylandia phaeos 'Undu Reef'<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima phaeos 'Undu Reef'</font>
Genus: Maylandia
Type locality: Cobwé, Lake Malawi, Mozambique
Biotope: Intermediate habitat at depths of approximately 7–20 m. The substrate typically consists of rocks mixed with sand and muddy sediment, which may also cover parts of the rocky surfaces. The bottom usually slopes gently toward greater depths rather than forming steep drop-offs.
Geographic distribution: Occurs along the Mozambique shore north of Cobwé and extends into Tanzanian waters. Confirmed localities include Cobwé, Chiwindi, Londo Bay, Hai Reef, and Undu Reef
Typical adult size: In the wild, males reach about 12 cm total length, while females remain slightly smaller at around 10 cm. In captivity males may grow considerably larger, with individuals up to about 16 cm reported.
Sexual dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is pronounced. Males are blue with 7–9 narrow black vertical bars, a black submarginal band in the dorsal fin, a black pelvic fin, and a broad black band in the anal fin with yellow egg-spots. Females are typically entirely yellow, including body and fins, although some populations (e.g. Londo Bay) show bluish-beige females with yellow fins.
Diet: Feeds on aufwuchs by combing loose material from the algal matrix on rocky substrates. The diet consists mainly of diatoms and short strands of cyanobacteria. Feeding is performed at a perpendicular angle to the substrate, and loose algae may also be taken from the water column when wave action dislodges it from rocks.
Breeding: Breeding males are territorial and defend spaces among rocks, often excavating a burrow beneath a rock to form a spawning cave. Females are usually solitary or occur in small groups and are courted near male territories. Spawning takes place inside the male’s burrow. Clutches are relatively small, typically 10–30 eggs. Females are maternal mouthbrooders, releasing the fry after about three to three and a half weeks and then abandoning them.
Aggression: Males are strongly territorial, especially toward conspecific males, and actively defend their breeding sites. Aggression toward other species is mainly limited to territorial defense.
Special notes: Maylandia phaeos is a characteristic member of the Black-dorsal (Flavifemina) group and is often the most abundant Maylandia species in the intermediate habitat where it occurs.

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Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas
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