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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Maylandia sciasma 'Kirondo'.jpg Maylandia sciasma 'Lifuma'.jpg Maylandia sciasma 'Magunga'.jpg Maylandia sciasma 'Makonde'.jpg Maylandia sciasma 'Ngwasi'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMaylandia sciasma 'Magunga'<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima sciasma 'Magunga'</font>
Genus: Maylandia
Type locality: Magunga, Lake Malawi, Tanzania
Biotope: Intermediate habitat at about 7–20 m depth, where sand is often covered with muddy sediment and similar sediment may coat rocks. The species is associated with areas that appear to have less sediment and a steeper slope than is typical for many related Aurora-group species.
Geographic distribution: Northeastern Lake Malawi, with an extensive distribution north of the Ruhuhu River. The river and sandy shores south of Mbamba Bay form a geographic barrier separating this species from other Aurora-group members.
Typical adult size: In the wild, males reach approximately 8 cm total length, with females about 1 cm smaller. In aquarium conditions, individuals may grow noticeably larger than wild fish.
Sexual dimorphism: Breeding males are blue dorsally with 7–10 gray bars and darker ventral coloration, with a dark blue/gray head and a blue/gray interorbital bar. The dorsal fin is blue with light-blue lappets, the pelvic fin is black with a white leading edge, and the anal fin is blue/gray with 2–7 yellow ocelli. Females are brown dorsally and gray-white ventrally, with yellow-brown dorsal and anal fins.
Diet: Feeds mostly on phytoplankton, and also browses loose algae and associated material from Aufwuchs on rocks. Feeding involves raking loose material, mainly diatoms and short algal strands, while leaving the algal matrix attached to the substrate.
Breeding: Males are territorial and maintain a burrow under a rock on sand or near the bottom among small rock piles. Females and non-territorial males occur singly or in small groups. Receptive females visit territorial males and are led into the burrow where spawning occurs; females then mouthbrood and are often found solitary among rocks.
Aggression: Males are described as almost permanently territorial, with strong aggression toward other males, particularly those with similar breeding coloration.
Special notes: Breeding males are characterized by a blue dorsal fin that lacks a black submarginal band, a dark-blue cheek and preorbital area, and a black pelvic fin; females are light brown with yellow fin margins. This combination is used to distinguish the species from other Aurora-group members and from other Maylandia, and breeding males can be separated from some populations of Maylandia zebra by the presence of a single interorbital bar and by black pigment on the anterior membranes of the anal fin. The species is reported as locally abundant in many places and, together with its broad distribution and close association with rocks, this is stated to reduce the risk of overfishing. In aquarium care, fine sand is preferable to allow males to excavate burrows, and it is strongly recommended not to keep more than one male unless the aquarium is very large; avoiding similar-looking species is advised due to heightened aggression and the risk of hybridization, especially within the Aurora group.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas
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