Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Genus:	Maylandia
Biotope:	Sediment-free shallow rocky habitat. The species is adapted to life in caves and narrow crevices among rocks and is often observed foraging from vertical rock faces or from the ceilings of caves.
Geographic distribution:	Lake Malawi at Linganjala Reef and Chizumulu Island.
Diet:	Feeds from the aufwuchs using the typical Maylandia-type feeding mechanism. Foraging is usually carried out on vertical substrates and within caves. Feeding territories are not defended.
Sexual dimorphism:	Females are beige brown, sometimes with a bluish hue, and lack a black submarginal band in the dorsal and anal fins. Males show the typical zebra-like pattern combined with a yellow tail in breeding dress.
Aggression:	Generally less aggressive than zebra-type mbuna. The species does not defend feeding territories.
Special notes:	This species belongs to the elongate Maylandia group, which was formerly placed in Pseudotropheus based mainly on body shape. Detailed observations of feeding behavior and skull morphology support its placement in Maylandia. The elongate body form represents an adaptation to cave-dwelling and crevice-oriented life rather than close relationship to the classic zebra species.