Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Maylandia sp. 'estherae blueface' Lumessi<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima sp. 'estherae blueface' Lumessi</font>

Genus:	Maylandia
Biotope:	Sediment-free rocky habitat along the eastern shoreline of Lake Malawi, where rocks provide shelter and spawning sites and are largely free of accumulated sediment.
Geographic distribution:	Known from the rocky shoreline around Lumessi on the eastern coast of Lake Malawi, situated between the populations of Maylandia estherae at Meponda and Nkhungu Point. This area lies within a broader coastal gap not inhabited by typical M. estherae populations.
Typical adult size:	Comparable to Maylandia estherae, with males reaching roughly 12–13 cm total length in the wild, while females are usually slightly smaller.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males show a distinctive dark blue coloration on the lower part of the head, which gives rise to the name “blueface.” Females are typically light brown, but orange and OB (orange blotch) females also occur.
Recommended aquarium size:	An aquarium of at least 300 liters is recommended to provide sufficient space and stable territorial structure.
Aquarium setup:	The tank should be arranged with extensive rockwork forming caves and crevices, with little open sand. A harem structure with one male and several females is advised, similar to other zebra-type mbuna.
Diet:	Primarily herbivorous, feeding on aufwuchs and associated algae, diatoms, and microorganisms. In the aquarium, a plant-based diet supplemented with spirulina is recommended.
Breeding:	Like other mbuna, this species is a maternal mouthbrooder. Males defend rocky territories where spawning takes place, after which females incubate the eggs and fry in their mouths.
Aggression:	Moderately aggressive and territorial, especially males during breeding, with most aggression directed toward conspecifics and similarly colored species.
Special notes:	This taxon is regarded as a possible geographical variant of Maylandia estherae, distinguished mainly by the blue facial coloration of breeding males. Its restricted occurrence suggests a strong dependence on sediment-free rocky habitats, and its exact taxonomic status remains unresolved.