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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Tropheops sp. 'chinyankwazi' Chinyankwazi Island
Genus: Tropheops
Geographic distribution: Endemic to Chinyankwazi Island in the southern part of Lake Malawi.
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat. Occupies a wide depth range from shallow water to depths below 25 m when no other Tropheops species is present.
Typical adult size: Medium-sized member of the genus; up to about 12 cm TL.
Sexual dimorphism: Males blue-barred with a black submarginal band in the dorsal fin. Females dull yellow with a distinct mid-lateral row of grey blotches; no OB morphs recorded.
Recommended aquarium size: At least 400 L for a single male with females; larger aquaria required to maintain multiple males.
Aquarium setup: Rocky aquarium with stable structures forming clearly separated territories. Provide numerous caves and visual barriers to reduce aggression.
Diet: Feeds on aufwuchs scraped from rocks. In aquarium, provide a predominantly vegetable-based diet.
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder. Territorial males defend rocky spawning sites; females incubate eggs and fry for about 3 weeks.
Aggression: Territorial and assertive, especially towards conspecific males.
Special notes: Member of the chilumba-type group. Very closely related to Tropheops sp. ‘black dorsal’. As the sole representative of the genus at its island locality, it occupies a broader depth range than many sympatric congeners elsewhere in the lake.

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