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Current Category African Cichlids- Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi in eastern Africa is the ninth largest lake in the world, some 600 kilometres long and up to 80 kilometres in width. It is home to a vast array of Cichlids (more than 850 species); virtually all of these species are endemic to the lake (i.e. they occur nowhere else.)
Many of these Cichlids are very popular as aquarium fish, because of their lively behaviour and bright colours (often rivaling the intensity of marine fishes.) They are also very easy to care for, breed readily and are quite hardy.
The water in Lake Malawi is alkaline (pH 7.8-8.5) and is moderately hard. Using Rift Lake Conditioning Salts provides the water requirements necessary for these fish. Being tropical fish, a water temperature of 23-27 C is satisfactory. These fish have strong appetites and will eat most fish foods, but it is worth noting there are several products specifically designed to meet the needs of these active fish (e.g. HBH cichlid foods.) Avoid feeding beefheart or other fatty meats to these Cichlids, as it can lead to health problems.
Most Malawi Cichlids are territorial to varying degrees, but this can be managed in different ways such as:
Fully stock the aquarium rather than lightly stock it (thereby diluting the effect of any overly aggressive individual, and also making it harder to establish or hold territories.) Provide plenty of cover (rocks, driftwoods, etc) in display or breeding set-ups. Rearrange the aquarium decor whenever new fish are added, thereby disrupting the territories of the original occupants.
Virtually all Malawi Cichlids are mouthbrooders: the female guards the eggs in her mouth until the fry are fully developed (approximately 21 days.) These fish will readily breed in both retail and home aquariums and a few fry often survive amongst the rocks.
Many of these Cichlids occur in various distinct geographic populations, this is especially common amongst rock dwelling types. The rock-dwellers are often unwilling or unable to cross sandy bays or open deep water to get to the next rocky habitat and this can lead to isolated variations. (e.g Male Peacocks Aulonocara stuartgranti can be deep blue, blue/yellow or mostly yellow depending on locality.)
| ASSORTED PEACOCK 5CM |
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The assorted peacock comprises a nice mix of the more commonly available varieties such as the Albino, Blue, Marbled, Red and Yellow. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. In their natural habitat, most Peacocks are smaller than 10cm (a few types may reach 13cm). Captive fish, fed a good diet in aquaria, generally exceed these sizes. Some males may grow to 15cm or more (females remain smaller). |
| ASSORTED PEACOCK 7CM |
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The assorted peacock comprises a nice mix of the more commonly available varieties such as the Albino, Blue, Marbled, Red and Yellow. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. In their natural habitat, most Peacocks are smaller than 10cm (a few types may reach 13cm). Captive fish, fed a good diet in aquaria, generally exceed these sizes. Some males may grow to 15cm or more (females remain smaller). |
| ASSORTED PEACOCK 10CM |
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The assorted peacock comprises a nice mix of the more commonly available varieties such as the Albino, Blue, Marbled, Red and Yellow. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. In their natural habitat, most Peacocks are smaller than 10cm (a few types may reach 13cm). Captive fish, fed a good diet in aquaria, generally exceed these sizes. Some males may grow to 15cm or more (females remain smaller). |
| ALBINO PEACOCK 5CM |
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An Albino form has occurred in a number of the more commonly bred Peacocks such as from the Blue Peacock. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. Grows to about 12-15cm. |
| ALBINO PEACOCK 7CM |
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An Albino form has occurred in a number of the more commonly bred Peacocks such as from the Blue Peacock. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. Grows to about 12-15cm. |
| BLUE PEACOCK 5CM |
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The first Peacocks exported from the lake were blue in colour, and today the blue variety is still very popular. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| BLUE PEACOCK 7CM |
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The first Peacocks exported from the lake were blue in colour, and today the blue variety is still very popular. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| RED JACOBFREIBERGI (FIREBIRD) PEACOCK 5CM |
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The Firebird is a selectively bred form selected for its pronounced red colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| RED JACOBFREIBERGI (FIREBIRD) PEACOCK 7CM |
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The Firebird is a selectively bred form selected for its pronounced red colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| MARBLED PEACOCK 5CM |
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Also known as OB Peacock (OB = orange blotch), a very attractive selectively bred strain with highly variable multicoloured markings. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| MARBLED PEACOCK 7CM |
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Also known as OB Peacock (OB = orange blotch), a very attractive selectively bred strain with highly variable multicoloured markings. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| RED PEACOCK 5CM |
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The Red Peacock is another popular selectively bred strain, mature males can display an intense red colouration. Use dry foods rich in natural carotenoids to bring out the fish's best colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| RED PEACOCK 7CM |
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The Red Peacock is another popular selectively bred strain, mature males can display an intense red colouration. Use dry foods rich in natural carotenoids to bring out the fish's best colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| TANGERINE PEACOCK 5CM |
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Another popular selectively bred strain, with its warm colours of yellow to red. Use dry foods rich in nautral carotenoids to bring out the fish's best colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| TANGERINE PEACOCK 7CM |
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Another popular selectively bred strain, with its warm colours of yellow to red. Use dry foods rich in nautral carotenoids to bring out the fish's best colours. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| YELLOW PEACOCK 5CM |
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Several varieties of yellow peacocks occur in the lake, males display a yellow or gold body colour, often with some blue markings. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| YELLOW PEACOCK 7CM |
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Several varieties of yellow peacocks occur in the lake, males display a yellow or gold body colour, often with some blue markings. Peacocks are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| AULONOCARA KANDEENSIS "BLUE ORCHID" 4.5CM |
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The Blue Orchid inhabits rocky areas around Kande Island with two other peacock species. Mature males are very distinctive, blue-black with a blue-white blaze extending from the nose into the dorsal fin. Believed to feed upon small snails in the wild. |
| AULONOCARA LWANDA YELLOW TOP GERMAN 5CM |
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This species mainly inhabits sandy areas. Males have a deep blue head and brightly spotted fins, females are mainly silver with yellow ventral and anal fins. They are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| AULONOCARA MAYLANDI (SULPHUR CREST) 5CM |
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Males are blue-black with an intense yellow blaze over their head, which was the inspiration for a common name of Sulphurhead Peacock. It occurs on submerged reefs near the lake's south east coast, (along with Aulonocara Red Flush). |
| AULONOCARA STUARTGRANTI BLUE NEON 5CM - GERMAN |
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One of the most widespread Peacocks in the lake, stuartgranti exists in many variants. Males from Chilumba in the northwestern section of the lake are predominantly deep blue. It is a relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on its own or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. Maximum size 12-15cm. |
| AULONOCARA STUARTGRANTI "COBWE" 4.5CM - GERMAN |
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The Cobwe Peacock was originally exported from Lake Malawi in the 1970's as Aulonocara nyassae. Mature males are a beautiful deep blue except for their orange-red pelvic fins. They are relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on their own, or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. |
| AULONOCARA STUARTGRANTI "MONKEY BAY" 4.5CM |
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One of the most widespread Peacocks in the lake, stuartgranti exists in many variants. Males from Monkey Bay near the southern tip of the lake are deep blue with orange-red pelvic fins. It is a relatively peaceful fish that can be kept either on its own or in a community of similar sized Malawi Cichlids. Maximum size 12-15cm. |
| CHILOTILAPIA RHOADESII 5CM |
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Snails are the preferred food for this large cichlid, crushing smaller snails in its mouth, or sucking larger ones out of the shell. Can grow to 20cm or more, but not overly aggressive. A good selection for a community aquarium of larger Malawi cichlids. |
| COPADOCHROMIS BORLEYI RED FIN KADANGO 4CM |
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C.borleyi exists in a wide range of different colour forms, each geographically isolated from each other. One of the most popular is the Kadango Red, females and juveniles have attractive red fins, whereas mature males have lighter coloured fins and a red body. Can grow to 15cm or more, so best kept with other similar sized species. |
| COPADOCHROMIS BORLEYI RED FIN KADANGO 5CM |
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C.borleyi exists in a wide range of different colour forms, each geographically isolated from each other. One of the most popular is the Kadango Red, females and juveniles have attractive red fins, whereas mature males have lighter coloured fins and a red body. Can grow to 15cm or more, so best kept with other similar sized species. |
| COPADOCHROMIS QUADRIMACULATUS 4CM |
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This is one of the larger species, growing to 20cm+. Males are very impressive with their large size and deep blue colouration. One of a group of cichlids called Utaka by Lake Malawi's human inhabitants, haplochromine cichlids that live in large numbers in open water, feeding upon zooplankton. |
| COPADOCHROMIS QUADRIMACULATUS 6CM |
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This is one of the larger species, growing to 20cm+. Males are very impressive with their large size and deep blue colouration. One of a group of cichlids called Utaka by Lake Malawi's human inhabitants, haplochromine cichlids that live in large numbers in open water, feeding upon zooplankton. |
| CYNOTILAPIA AFRA COBWE 4CM |
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This small territorial species is best kept in an aquarium containing plenty of rocks. Very active and makes a great display. Also known as the Yellow Afra. Like many rock-dwelling Malawi Cichlids, this species has evolved into a number of differently coloured populations, such as this example found at Cobwe on the Mozambique shoreline. Usually grows to about 8-9cm. |
| CYNOTILAPIA AFRA COBWE 5CM |
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This small territorial species is best kept in an aquarium containing plenty of rocks. Very active and makes a great display. Also known as the Yellow Afra. Like many rock-dwelling Malawi Cichlids, this species has evolved into a number of differently coloured populations, such as this example found at Cobwe on the Mozambique shoreline. Usually grows to about 8-9cm. |
| CYRTOCARA MOORII - BLUE DOLPHIN 4CM |
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A large relatively peaceful species growing to 14-18cm. Both sexes are very similar, the males have more pointed fins and larger humps on their heads. A popular and easy to keep species, ideal for a community aquarium of larger Malawi cichlids. |
| CYRTOCARA MOORII - BLUE DOLPHIN 7CM |
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A large relatively peaceful species growing to 14-18cm. Both sexes are very similar, the males have more pointed fins and larger humps on their heads. A popular and easy to keep species, ideal for a community aquarium of larger Malawi cichlids. |
| FOSSOCHROMIS ROSTRATUS 4.5CM |
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This large relatively peaceful species inhabits sandy-bottomed areas. Frequently sifting the sand for food, the Rostraus often has several Blue Dolphins (C.moorii) following closely behind, opportunistically feeding on any food stirred up. Male Rostratus are very striking - very dark to black overlaid with blue-green iridescence. Usually grows to 25cm. |
| FOSSOCHROMIS ROSTRATUS 5CM |
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This large relatively peaceful species inhabits sandy-bottomed areas. Frequently sifting the sand for food, the Rostraus often has several Blue Dolphins (C.moorii) following closely behind, opportunistically feeding on any food stirred up. Male Rostratus are very striking - very dark to black overlaid with blue-green iridescence. Usually grows to 25cm. |
| LABEOTROPHEUS FUELLEBORNI 4.5CM |
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The fuelleborni has a distinctive fleshy nose and underslung mouth. These adaptions allow it to graze with minimal effort on algae covered rocks in relatively shallow rocky areas. These habitats are subjected to strong currents caused by waves hitting the shoreline. A very interesting looking fish with a number of colourful variations. Hardy, very active and easy to keep, grows to 12-15cm. |
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