Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Maylandia sp. 'msobo heteropictus' Thumbi Reef.jpg Pseudotropheus purpuratus 'Thumbi Reef'.jpg Pseudotropheus sp. 'perspicax tanzania'  Thumbi Reef.jpg
Previous pagePseudotropheus sp. 'perspicax tanzania' Thumbi Reef.jpg
Genus: Pseudotropheus
Biotope: Rocky habitat along the northeastern shores of Lake Malawi, occupying cracks and small caves among rocks.
Geographic distribution: Occurs south of Ndonga at Njambe, Tanzania, where it occupies the same niche as other small territorial mbuna.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are blue-toned and territorial; females are brown to beige with vertical barring.
Diet: Feeds by nipping aufwuchs from the rocks using small mouths equipped with bicuspid teeth arranged in a wide U-shaped jaw.
Breeding: Territorial males defend small caves or cracks among rocks; females are non-territorial.
Aggression: Small but aggressive; males actively patrol and defend territories.
Special notes: Belongs to the group of small mbuna lacking a black submarginal band in the dorsal fin and occupying rocky habitats in northern Lake Malawi.

Photo: © Mark Thomas
Photo: © Mark Thomas