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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Petrotilapia kitrinos 'Mumbo Island'<br><font color=gray>Petrotilapia sp. 'mumbo yellow' Mumbo Island</font>
Genus: Petrotilapia
Type locality: Mumbo Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi.
Biotope: Rocky habitat at Mumbo Island, typically at 7–15 meters depth.
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Mumbo Island.
Typical adult size: Males have been reported to reach up to about 15 cm total length, while females remain smaller at around 12 cm total length.
Sexual dimorphism: Marked differences in live coloration.
Territorial/breeding males are citron-gold with brown or gray vertical bars, a gold cheek, and a gold throat and chest.
Females are pale yellow to pale white, with a broad black submarginal band in the dorsal fin and a series of dark mid-lateral and dorso-lateral blotches on the flank.
Recommended aquarium size: The species has never been exported for the aquarium trade. If ever kept, a very large aquarium would be required, exceeding 500 liters, with 800 liters or more considered more appropriate.
Aquarium setup: A large, rock-dominated setup with extensive caves and shelters. Only one male should be kept per aquarium, as males are likely to be permanently territorial. Tank mates should not resemble Petrotilapia in male breeding coloration, and no other Petrotilapia species should be housed together with it. Shelters should allow females to retreat into caves too small for the male to enter.
Diet: Brushes rock surfaces to collect loose aufwuchs (notably diatoms and cyanobacteria) and also takes invertebrates. Juveniles feed mainly on plankton; when plankton is plentiful, adults—especially females—may also feed in the water column.
Breeding: Males hold large territories centered around rocky caves where spawning takes place. Territories are defended primarily against conspecific males and may overlap those of other mbuna species. Females are maternal mouthbrooders and are sometimes encountered brooding in open habitat; fry are likely released in shallow water and are abandoned immediately after release.
Aggression: Males are territorial and primarily defend their territories against conspecifics. Females and immatures are non-territorial and usually solitary.
Special notes: Previously known in the hobby as Petrotilapia sp. 'mumbo yellow'.
Based on the female pattern (yellow/golden ground color with two horizontal rows/series of spots), it is placed in the P. nigra group. Adult males may feed within territories of other species (e.g. local Tropheops), and male territories can overlap with those of other Petrotilapia in the shallower rocky habitat.

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