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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Melanochromis auratus 'Nakantenga Island'.jpg Melanochromis auratus 'Namalenje Island'.jpg Melanochromis auratus 'Nkomo Reef'.jpg Melanochromis auratus 'Thumbi West Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageMelanochromis auratus 'Nkomo Reef'
Genus: Melanochromis
Type locality: Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Rocky environment rich in sediment. The species inhabits depths of approximately 10–15 m.
Geographic distribution: Occurs in rocky habitats between Nkhomo Reef and Crocodile Rocks along the southwestern shore of Lake Malawi. A few specimens were observed at Chinyamwezi Island and may have been introduced inadvertently, possibly not representing the natural distribution.
Typical adult size: Males reach about 11 cm and females approximately 9 cm in the aquarium.
Recommended aquarium size: 400 L.
Aquarium setup: An aquarium should provide sufficient open swimming space while also containing abundant rockwork with hiding places. Due to strong intraspecific aggression, it is recommended to keep at least 3–4 females per male. Suitable tankmates include other robust herbivorous mbuna such as M. sp. 'msobo', M. lombardoi, L. trewavasae...
Diet: Herbivorous; feeds primarily on algae and represents a typical aufwuchs grazer. It is among the few species reported to also consume blue-green cyanobacteria. Feeding consists of nibbling and picking algae from rock surfaces, particularly from the outer fringes of algal gardens of territorial species.
Breeding: Spawning takes place inside a cave or alongside a rock. Females guard their offspring for at least one week after the fry are released for the first time. Males in breeding coloration are uncommon and become territorial mainly when several individuals in breeding dress are present nearby.
Aggression: Very aggressive within the species, particularly among males, while generally tolerant toward other species. In the aquarium, males are described as almost permanently territorial, and it is strongly recommended not to keep more than one male in the same aquarium. Males may react more aggressively toward tankmates with similar male breeding coloration.
Special notes: Compared with Melanochromis mossambiquensis, Melanochromis dialeptos, and Melanochromis wochepa, this species is characterised by differences in the relative width of the mid-lateral and dorso-lateral black stripes on the flank versus the submarginal black stripe in the dorsal fin. Females are described as having two broad yellow stripes on the lower abdomen that usually cover the entire lower half of the body, and the lower lobe of the caudal fin is yellow without black spots. Males are described as having a narrow yellow mid-lateral stripe superimposed on a light-blue broad mid-lateral band. The colour pattern remains consistent throughout the distribution, although the intensity of yellow in females and black in males varies, with particularly intense individuals reported from areas around Mbenji, Maleri, and Mumbo Island.

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Photo: © Ad Konings
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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