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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Melanochromis sp. 'robustus mbenji' Mbenji Island.jpg Mylochromis labidodon 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Nimbochromis linni 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Nyassachromis serenus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Petrotilapia sp. 'fuscous' Mbenji Island.jpg
Previous pageNext pageNimbochromis linni 'Mbenji Island'
Genus: Nimbochromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi
Biotope: Intermediate and rocky habitats, dependent on the presence of rocks for feeding and breeding; breeding individuals are mostly observed deeper than 15 m, while subadults and foraging fish may occur as shallow as 2 m.
Geographic distribution: Lake-wide distribution in Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Up to about 30 cm total length; females remain only a few centimeters smaller.
Sexual dimorphism: During the breeding period males are blue overall, with an anal fin that has a black base, predominantly red coloration, and a thin yellow outer margin bearing yellow-white egg-dummies. Females are yellow-gray with darker blotches and fine red points. Outside the breeding season sexes are similar in appearance.
Recommended aquarium size: A very large aquarium is required to accommodate a group of this species.
Aquarium setup: Keep only one adult male per aquarium and combine with similarly sized cichlids. Provide rocky structures and open areas; small mbuna may be taken as prey.
Diet: Specialized predator of juvenile mbuna, extracting them from crevices with a highly protractile mouth. It positions its downward-projecting snout above cracks and sucks prey out by rapidly expanding the buccal cavity.
Breeding: Maternal mouth-brooder breeding in deep rocky habitats with a relatively short annual breeding period. Males defend territories only during breeding, centered on a flat rock or on sand beside rocks, sometimes forming a simple cave-crater bower. Spawning occurs on rock or sand near rocks; the female collects eggs before fertilization and then sucks in the male’s sperm. Both sexes lose most mottled markings during nuptial coloration.
Aggression: Large predatory species; males are strongly territorial in captivity and only one adult male should be kept per aquarium.
Special notes: Distinguished by its unusual downward-projecting snout and spotted pectoral fins. Resembles N. polystigma in overall pattern but differs markedly in snout shape. Outside the breeding season large orange spots may be visible on the anal fin, but these disappear in both sexes during nuptial coloration.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Hagebycikliden
Photo: © Hagebycikliden
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
Photo: © Henrik Brink Pedersen
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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