Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Petrotilapia sp. 'yellow chin' Mbenji Island.jpg

Placidochromis milomo 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Protomelas sp. 'mbenji thick-lip' Mbenji Island.jpg

Protomelas spilonotus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Protomelas taeniolatus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg

Protomelas sp. 'mbenji thick-lip' Mbenji Island

Genus:	Protomelas
Biotope:	Sediment-rich rocky habitat and intermediate zones; breeding males mainly in deeper intermediate areas, subadults occasionally in shallow rocky habitat.
Geographic distribution:	Endemic to the Mbenji Islands in the southern part of Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size:	Males up to 27 cm total length; females up to approximately 18 cm.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males develop intense black markings on the upper body, contrasting with a bright golden-yellow ground color, a dark belly, and strongly swollen lips. Females are smaller and less intensely colored.
Aquarium setup:	Provide rocky structures with caves and sandy areas. Keep only one adult male per aquarium and avoid housing with similar-looking species such as Protomelas ornatus or Protomelas sp. 'hertae'.
Diet:	Feeds from sediment-rich aufwuchs; consumes invertebrates and probably small fishes. Sometimes turns on its side to feed from horizontal cracks. Foraging individuals may form small groups of 3–10 specimens.
Breeding:	Territorial males defend large caves, usually with sandy bottoms. Spawning likely occurs directly on the cave floor. Mouthbrooding females roam the intermediate habitat and continue to guard fry after first release.
Aggression:	Adult males are strongly territorial, especially toward conspecifics and similar-looking species.
Special notes:	Characterized by swollen lips, a deeper body, intense black markings, and a dark belly. Distinguished from Protomelas ornatus by broader vertical bars, denser blotchy melanin pattern, and uneven flank background coloration. Also differs clearly from Protomelas sp. 'hertae' by its predominantly vertical and blotchy pattern. The species has declined locally due to ornamental fish collection and is now most frequently observed at deeper reefs.