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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Maylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Minos Reef.jpg Maylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Ndumbi Rocks.jpg Maylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Nkhungu Reef.jpg Maylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Taiwanee Reef.jpg Maylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Tumbi Point.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMaylandia sp. 'aggressive bars' Nkhungu Reef<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima sp. 'aggressive bars' Nkhungu Reef</font>
Genus: Maylandia
Biotope: Rocky habitat, typically at somewhat greater depths than many zebra-like mbuna. The species is usually found in deeper rocky zones, often at depths of 10 m or more, where large caves and close contact with the rocky substrate are common.
Geographic distribution: A very wide distribution in Lake Malawi south of the Rukuru River on the western shore and south of the Ruhuhu River on the eastern shore. Recorded localities include Thumbi Point and Puulu in Tanzania; Tumbi Point, Mbweca, Minos Reef, Nkhungu Reef and ChiloeIo in Mozambique; and Hora Mhango, Charo, Kakusa, Likoma, Chizumulu and Taiwanee Reef in Malawi.
Sexual dimorphism: Females are brown to dark brown and show little or no vertical barring. Males exhibit a zebra-like pattern with distinct vertical bars and a prominent black submarginal band in the dorsal fin.
Diet: Males feed mainly on Aufwuchs scraped from rocks, but also consume plankton when it is available in sufficient quantities.
Breeding: Males are strongly territorial and defend their spawning sites with great vigor.
Aggression: Highly aggressive toward intruders around spawning sites. Despite this, the species is generally shy, living solitary and remaining close to the rocky substrate.
Special notes: This undescribed species belongs to a group of zebra-like mbuna characterized by a prominent black submarginal band in the dorsal fin and relatively large, widely spaced teeth in the outer jaw rows, a feature that appears intermediate between typical Maylandia and Cynotilapia. Although its precise relationship to Maylandia sp. ‘chinyankwazi’ is unclear and the two may be closely related, all similar-looking populations outside the range of that species are assigned to Maylandia sp. ‘aggressive bars’. The species is nowhere very common, with the possible exception of the population at ChiloeIo, and is noted for its shy behavior, often occupying large caves in deeper rocky habitats.

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