Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Chindongo sp. 'aggressive zebra mbenji' Mbenji Island.jpg

Chindongo sp. 'elongatus mbenji brown' Mbenji Island.jpg

Copadichromis azureus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Copadichromis borleyi 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Copadichromis mbenjii 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Genus:	Copadichromis
Type locality:	Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi
Biotope:	Intermediate habitat dominated by sand with a few sediment-covered rocks; females forage close to the bottom, territorial males usually occur deeper
Geographic distribution:	Endemic to the Mbenji Islands and Nkhomo Reef, Lake Malawi
Typical adult size:	Males up to ~15 cm in the wild (rarely approaching ~18 cm in aquarium); females up to ~10 cm
Sexual dimorphism:	Females beige-silvery with three black lateral spots. Mature males larger and deep azure-blue, with flank spots largely obscured
Recommended aquarium size:	Minimum tank length: ~100 cm for a pair; larger tanks (400 litres / 150 cm) are recommended for a harem and to observe natural behaviour.
Aquarium setup:	Provide ample open sand with a few rocks/flat stones for territorial reference and bower construction; strong filtration with very clean water but avoid excessively strong current. Best kept with one adult male and multiple females
Diet:	Plankton and benthic invertebrates taken close to the sandy bottom, typically within a couple of meters of the substrate
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder; males defend sand bowers around/under rocks, typically at ~19–25 m depth. Bowers are commonly 19–33 cm in diameter and spaced several meters apart
Aggression:	Territorial males strongly aggressive to rival males; generally peaceful toward non-similar tankmates
Special notes:	Member of the Copadichromis mbenjii group; females show three lateral spots while males in breeding dress have a blue breast and a narrow yellow marginal band in the anal fin. Avoid keeping with very similar-looking species such as C. insularis to reduce aggression and hybridisation risk