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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Maylandia tarakiki 'Mbamba Bay'.jpg Maylandia tarakiki 'Ngkuyo Island'.jpg Maylandia tarakiki 'Otter Island'.jpg
Previous pageMaylandia cf. tarakiki 'Otter Island'<br><font color=gray>Metriaclima cf. tarakiki 'Otter Island'</font>
Genus: Maylandia
Type locality: Higga Reef, Lake Malawi, Tanzania.
Biotope: Rocky habitat dominated by large boulders, usually free of sediment. The species is rare in areas where rocks are scattered on sand or covered with sediment. Rocky structures provide shelter and spawning sites.
Geographic distribution: Known from Ngkuyo Island, Higga Reef, and the rocky shore south of Mbamba Bay known as Chuwa, Lake Malawi, Tanzania.
Typical adult size: Wild males up to about 14 cm total length, females approximately 2 cm smaller. In aquaria individuals may reach close to 18 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Males and females differ clearly in coloration. Breeding males are blue to blue-white with 7–9 distinct black lateral bars, blue anal fin, and lateral bars extending into the dorsal fin without forming a dark submarginal band. Females are light brown or occur as orange blotch morphs, with variable brown, yellow, or orange coloration and irregular black blotches in OB females.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 300 liters, with an aquarium length of 125 cm or more.
Aquarium setup: Provide numerous caves and rocky shelters by piling rocks against the back of the tank. Substrate choice is not critical, but sharp-edged materials are not recommended. Only one male should be kept per aquarium.
Diet: Primarily feeds on aufwuchs, combing loose material from the algal matrix, mainly diatoms and short algal strands including cyanobacteria. It also feeds on plankton and may form schools in the water column when plankton is abundant.
Breeding: Males defend territories centered around caves among large rocks. Territories often border one another and may be as close as one meter apart. Spawning occurs inside the male’s cave. Females are maternal mouthbrooders and usually hide among rocks while brooding.
Aggression: Aggressive within the species, especially among males. Generally tolerant toward other species of similar size and temperament.
Special notes: This species closely resembles Maylandia zebra but has a noticeably more slender body. It is sympatric with Maylandia fainzilberi throughout its range and is not considered a geographic variant of that species. Detailed morphological analyses have shown that it is also distinct from nearby zebra-like species such as Maylandia midomo, Maylandia pambazuko, and Maylandia lundoense. Orange blotch females are common and popular in the aquarium trade.

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Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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