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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Protomelas sp. 'mbenji thick-lip' Mbenji Island.jpg Protomelas spilonotus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Protomelas taeniolatus 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus crabro 'Mbenji Island'.jpg Pseudotropheus galanos 'Mbenji Island'.jpg
Previous pageNext pageProtomelas taeniolatus 'Mbenji Island'
Genus: Protomelas
Type locality: Southern end of Lake Malawi
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky habitat, usually in shallow water and hardly ever deeper than 10 m.
Geographic distribution: Common throughout Lake Malawi.
Typical adult size: Average male total length about 13 cm, with exceptional specimens reaching 19 cm. Females are usually a few centimeters smaller.
Sexual dimorphism: Males develop breeding coloration and defend territories year round. In areas without P. sp. ‘steveni imperial’ males may show yellow on breast and belly, but never on shoulder or flank. Females resemble those of P. sp. ‘steveni imperial’ and show no unique diagnostic pattern.
Aquarium setup: Maintain pH 7.0–8.5 and temperature 23–28 °C. Overheating to about 32 °C can be lethal. Provide rocky structures and open swimming space. Only one adult male per aquarium is recommended.
Diet: Predominantly herbivorous; sucks algae from small pockets in rocks. Also consumes insect larvae and occasionally plankton. Distinguished from P. fenestratus by biting in the biocover rather than blowing sediment.
Breeding: Territorial males defend algal gardens on top of rocks. Spawning occurs immediately when a ripe female enters the territory. Eggs are fertilized inside the female’s mouth. Fry are released after about three weeks and may seek refuge again in the female’s mouth.
Aggression: Males are highly territorial and aggressively defend their domain against intruders.
Special notes: Highly variable in coloration across localities and forms the basis of many “Steveni” trade names such as “Red Empress” and “Steveni Tiger”.

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