Pebble beds and rubble areas; occasionally collected over pure sand.
Geographic distribution:
Lake Malawi; northern and southern populations show differences in pigmentation pattern.
Diet:
Invertebrate feeder. Turns over small stones with its mouth to search for prey beneath them, then quickly dives into the rubble to seize food. Teeth are pointed and enlarged at the front of the jaws.
Special notes:
Often regarded as a “Labidochromis analogue” among the haps because of its feeding behavior and dentition. Body silvery with broad vertical bars and a thin red edge to the dorsal fin. A diagonal stripe is usually absent; northern populations may show a faint or incomplete diagonal line, while southern populations display a more pronounced vertical bar pattern. Juveniles of barred populations may exhibit an incomplete diagonal stripe.
Photo gallery