Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Maylandia sp. 'zebra gold' Lion's Cove.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'zebra gold' Mara Rocks.jpg

Maylandia sp. 'zebra gold' Kawanga<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima sp. 'zebra gold' Kawanga</font>

Tribe / Genus:	Maylandia
Biotope:	Purely rocky habitat, also over sandy patches between rocks at greater depths, usually below 15 meters.
Geographic distribution:	Restricted to the western coast of Lake Malawi, occurring between Chirombo Point and Charo.
Typical adult size:	Males reach about 13 cm total length, females about 11 cm.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males show variable territorial coloration, including golden and polychromatic forms, while females are consistently brown. Polychromatism occurs mainly in females but is also observed in some males.
Recommended aquarium size:	At least 300 liters.
Aquarium setup:	Provide plenty of rocks with numerous hiding places. Fine sand is recommended as substrate. Keep one male with 3–4 females.
Diet:	Primarily herbivorous, feeding from the aufwuchs. Territorial males forage more frequently from the biocover, while plankton is also consumed, especially at greater depths.
Breeding:	Territorial males defend spawning sites among rocks or excavate a spawning pit under a stone where rocks meet sandy areas. Spawning takes place inside caves or under rocks.
Aggression:	Sexually active males direct aggression mainly toward conspecifics. Females and non-territorial males occur singly or in small groups.
Special notes:	This species occurs only on the western shore of the lake, while a similar and possibly closely related species, Maylandia sp. ‘zebra yellow tail’, is restricted to the eastern shore. Several geographical variants are known, differing mainly in male territorial coloration.