Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Maylandia sp. 'patricki' Fuawe Island.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'patricki' Mbenji Island.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'patricki' Nankoma Island.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'patricki' Nkhomo Reef.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'patricki' Mbenji Island<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima sp. 'patricki' Mbenji Island</font>

Tribe / Genus:	Maylandia
Biotope:	Intermediate habitat at depths ranging between 5 and 25 meters, consisting of scattered rocks on sand and sandy areas with some rocky substrates.
Geographic distribution:	Southwestern Lake Malawi, including Chidunga Rocks (Chipoka), the Maleri islands, Namalenje Island, the Mbenji islands, Nkhomo Reef, and Jalo Reef near Nkhotakota.
Typical adult size:	Males up to about 11 cm total length; females up to about 9 cm.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males and females differ in coloration; males develop distinct breeding dress and are permanently territorial, while females are less intensely colored.
Recommended aquarium size:	300 L, with a minimum aquarium length of 130 cm.
Aquarium setup:	Tall rock structures should be provided in the background, with a sandy area in the foreground. One male is kept with 2–3 females, or the species can be maintained in groups such as 3 males with 7 females. It is a temperamental cichlid that can be quite aggressive within the species, but is relatively peaceful toward other species.
Diet:	Herbivorous, feeding on aufwuchs, including diatoms and microorganisms found within the algal matrix on rocky and sandy substrates.
Aggression:	Aggressive within the species; generally tolerant toward other species.
Special notes:	This species is sometimes encountered over pure sand and is considered intermediate between true sand-dwelling mbuna and rock-dwelling mbuna. Unlike sand-dwelling forms, it shows permanently territorial behavior. Breeding males are present throughout the year and excavate holes beneath scattered stones of the habitat, feeding from the aufwuchs on both rocky and sandy substrates. Several populations with distinct coloration are known, including forms from the Mbenji islands that are exploited for the aquarium trade.