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.)

LABEOTROPHEUS FUELLEBORNI 4.5CM
	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.

LABEOTROPHEUS TREWAVASAE 4.5CM

LABIDOCHROMIS ELECTRIC YELLOW 3.5CM

LABIDOCHROMIS ELECTRIC YELLOW 3.5CM QTY 20+

LABIDOCHROMIS ELECTRIC YELLOW 4CM

LABIDOCHROMIS ELECTRIC YELLOW 5CM

LABIDOCHROMIS HONGI 4.5CM
	The Hongi is a very attractive fish found between Hongi and Lundo Islands.  Mature males are a vibrant blue to purple with a bright yellow-orange blaze across the dorsal area.  Very active and easy to breed, grows to 10-12cm.

LABIDOCHROMIS HONGI 5CM
	The Hongi is a very attractive fish found between Hongi and Lundo Islands.  Mature males are a vibrant blue to purple with a bright yellow-orange blaze across the dorsal area.  Very active and easy to breed, grows to 10-12cm.

MELANOCHROMIS AURATUS 4.5CM
	Auratus are a popular favourite from Lake Malawi with their distinctive colour pattern and hardy nature.  Extremely active, tankmates should be other robust species of similar or larger size.  Males usually begin to change to black and white at about 5-6cm.  Grows to 10-12cm.

ALBINO MELANOCHROMIS AURATUS 4CM
	Auratus are a popular favourite from Lake Malawi with their distinctive colour pattern and hardy nature.  Extremely active, tankmates should be other robust species of similar or larger size.  The Albino form is an aquarium bred strain and is just as hardy as the wild type.  Grows to 10-12cm.

MELANOCHROMIS BALIODIGMA 7CM
	The Baliodigma is a dark bodied fish with very prominent pale bands across its back and a light blue dorsal fin.  Both sexes are similar in appearance.  One of the larger Melanochromis, growing to 15-20cm, it is best kept in a large aquarium with other robust Malawi species.

MELANOCHROMIS CHIPOKAE 4.5CM
	One of the larger Melanochromis, growing to 15cm or more.  Can be quite aggresive, but has enduring popularity becasue of its strong colouration.  Best kept in a large aquarium with other robust Malawi species.

MELANOCHROMIS JOHANNI 4CM
	The Johanni is an "old favourite" with its yellow-orange juvenile colours and hardy nature.  Like many Melanochromis, it is sexually dimorphic (males and females are differently coloured).  Males begin to transform into their black and blue colours at 5-6cm.  Grows to about 10cm.

MELANOCHROMIS MAINGANO 4CM
	Found around Maingano Island, both sexes of this lively species are blue-black with bright blue horizontal stripes.  A very showy species for a single species tank or with other similar sized Malawi Cichlids.  The species is now officially named as Melanochromis cyanoerhabdos, but usually is still referred to as Maingano.  Grows to about 10cm.

MELANOCHROMIS MAINGANO 5CM
	Found around Maingano Island, both sexes of this lively species are blue-black with bright blue horizontal stripes.  A very showy species for a single species tank or with other similar sized Malawi Cichlids.  The species is now officially named as Melanochromis cyanoerhabdos, but usually is still referred to as Maingano.  Grows to about 10cm.

MELANOCHROMIS MAINGANO 7CM
	Found around Maingano Island, both sexes of this lively species are blue-black with bright blue horizontal stripes.  A very showy species for a single species tank or with other similar sized Malawi Cichlids.  The species is now officially named as Melanochromis cyanoerhabdos, but usually is still referred to as Maingano.  Grows to about 10cm.

MELANOCHROMIS VERMIVEROUS 4.5CM
	Like many Melanochromis, the Vermiverous is sexually dimorphic (males and females are differently coloured).  Mature males are dark bodied with blue stripes, juveniles and females are pale with dark stripes.  They are a hardy active species, best kept with other robust Malawi Cichlids of similar size.  Grows to 12-15cm.

METRIACLIMA AURORA 6CM

RED TOP ZEBRA (M. GRESHAKI) 4.5CM
	Also known as Red Top Cobalt Blue Zebra, this is a popular form of Zebra with its bright colours.  Active and easy to care for, tank-mates should be other robust species.  Males grow to 14-15cm, whereas females remain slightly smaller.

METRIACLIMA LOMBARDOI 4CM

A very popular Malawi Cichlid, the Lombardoi are bright blue with dark banding from a very young age.  Adult females keep the same appearance, whereas the males gradually transform into a glowing golden-yellow.  Lombardoi are very active and can be territorial, so provide a few hiding places.  They are well suited to Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large sized species.  Grows to 14-15cm.

METRIACLIMA LOMBARDOI 5CM

A very popular Malawi Cichlid, the Lombardoi are bright blue with dark banding from a very young age.  Adult females keep the same appearance, whereas the males gradually transform into a glowing golden-yellow.  Lombardoi are very active and can be territorial, so provide a few hiding places.  They are well suited to Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large sized species.  Grows to 14-15cm.

METRIACLIMA LOMBARDOI 6CM

A very popular Malawi Cichlid, the Lombardoi are bright blue with dark banding from a very young age.  Adult females keep the same appearance, whereas the males gradually transform into a glowing golden-yellow.  Lombardoi are very active and can be territorial, so provide a few hiding places.  They are well suited to Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large sized species.  Grows to 14-15cm.

METRIACLIMA LOMBARDOI 8CM

A very popular Malawi Cichlid, the Lombardoi are bright blue with dark banding from a very young age.  Adult females keep the same appearance, whereas the males gradually transform into a glowing golden-yellow.  Lombardoi are very active and can be territorial, so provide a few hiding places.  They are well suited to Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large sized species.  Grows to 14-15cm.

NIMBOCHROMIS LIVINGSTONII 4CM

Nimbochromis are large heavily patterned fish with good camouflaging, in nature they mainly feed on small fish.  They are very hardy fish with a strong appetite, well suited to Malawi aquariums containing other robust types.  The Livingstonii is boldly patterned with chocolate brown markings over a white body.  In the lake it sometimes lays on the bottom, waiting to strike at any curious small fish that approach.  Grows to 20cm+.

NIMBOCHROMIS POLYSTIGMA 4CM
	The Polystigma is a popular species with its heavily patterned body and fins.  Like other Nimbochromis it is a large species that primarily feeds upon small fish.  In the lake it will sometimes sit on the bottom, waiting for a curious small fish to approach.  It is a very hardy fish with a strong appetite, well suited to Malawi aquariums containing other robust types.  Grows to 20cm+.

NIMBOCHROMIS VENUSTUS 4CM
	The Venustus is a very popular and attractive Malawi Cichlid.  Juveniles and females are golden-silver, covered with a large dark brown diamond shaped markings.  Mature males develop a blue head and a bright golden-yellow blaze across their back.  They are very easy to care for and have very healthy appetites.  Best kept with other robust Malawi Cichlids.  Grows to 20cm+.

OTOPHARYNX LITHOBATES SULPHUR CREST 4.5CM
	The Sulphur Crest is a popular and easy to keep fish, native to the southern part of the lake.  Juveniles and females are silver with black markings.  Maturing males transform into a vivid blue with a yellow crest extending through the dorsal fin, rivaling the Electric Blue in colour.

OTOPHARYNX SP. SILVER TORPEDO 4CM
	This slender bodied species inhabits shallow mud-bottom areas of the lake.  Maturing males display attractive gold spots on each scale and well patterned fins.

OTOPHARYNX SP. SILVER TORPEDO 7CM
	This slender bodied species inhabits shallow mud-bottom areas of the lake.  Maturing males display attractive gold spots on each scale and well patterned fins.

OTOPHARYNX TETRASPILUS 5CM
	A solid bodied species, it inhabits areas where aquatic plants are growing in the southern part of the lake.  An undemanding species growing to about 16cm.  Include vegetable based foods in its diet.

PLACIDOCHROMIS ELECTRA 4CM
	Once known as the Deepwater Hap, Electra juveniles are an attractive silver-white with a contrasting black banded head.  As they grow they become bluer in colour.  They are a hardy active species, suitable for a Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large species.  Grows to 12-15cm.

PLACIDOCHROMIS ELECTRA 4.5CM
	Once known as the Deepwater Hap, Electra juveniles are an attractive silver-white with a contrasting black banded head.  As they grow they become bluer in colour.  They are a hardy active species, suitable for a Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large species.  Grows to 12-15cm.

PLACIDOCHROMIS ELECTRA 8CM
	Once known as the Deepwater Hap, Electra juveniles are an attractive silver-white with a contrasting black banded head.  As they grow they become bluer in colour.  They are a hardy active species, suitable for a Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large species.  Grows to 12-15cm.

PLACIDOCHROMIS SP. MBAMBA 4CM
	Found in Mbamba Bay, males develop a golden body with a dark blue head and dark fins.  A hardy species, with no special requirements.

PLACIDOCHROMIS MILOMO VC10 7CM

The VC10 got its common name because the collector thought this fish travelled away from his nets at a speed similar to the jet airliner he sent his fish on!  Young fish are heavily patterned with thick black bands, mature males have a bright sky blue head and a gold spotted body.  As they grow, these fish typically develop large very thick lips.  Grows to 18-20cm, best kept with other Malawi Cichlids of similar size.

PLACIDOCHROMIS PHENOCHILUS TANZANIA 4.5CM
	Males of this type develop one of the more unusual colour patterns of Lake Malawi Cichlids: numerous spots and spangles creating an effect like blue marble or a mirror ball.  Females are silver with dark vertical bars.  A very nice fish, well suited to a Malawi community aquarium.

PROTOMELAS SPILONOTUS TANZANIA 4.5CM
	Growing to 15cm or more, males of this species are very impressive with their blue colouration, contrasted by a vivid yellow abdomen and anal fin.  Females remain smaller and are silver with black markings.  A hardy species, best kept in a large aquarium.

PROTOMELAS TAENIOLATUS FIRE BLUE 4.5CM
	The Taeniolatus is a widespread species in the lake, occuring in a number of colour variations (like many other Malawi Cichlids that frequent rocky habitats.)  Maturing males are very impressive with bright blue bodies and finely patterned fins.  This fish is suitable for a Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large species.  Grows to about 15cm.

PROTOMELAS TAENIOLATUS RED EMPRESS 4.5CM
	The vibrant colours of male Red Empress have ensured an enduring popularity for this fish.  Hardy and easy to keep.  Ideal for a Malawi community aquarium containing medium to large species.  Can grow to 15cm or more.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI MSULI POINT 4CM
	With a lively disposition coupled with bright blue and yellow colours, this fish is well suited to the aquarium.  Ideal for a community of Malawi cichlids.  Grows to about 13cm.