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.)

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI MSULI POINT 4CM QTY 20+
	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.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI MSULI POINT 5CM
	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.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI MSULI POINT 5CM QTY 20+
	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.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI TANZANIA 5CM
	A hardy robust species that is quite active.  Ideal for a community of Malawi cichlids.  Grows to about 13cm.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS CRABRO 4.5CM
	The Crabro is a robust species that can rapidly change colour.  Young Crabro are quite popular with their golden body colour with prominent dark bands, and their hardy active nature.  Mature males are much darker - almost completely black in colour.  Growing to 15cm, tankmates should be other robust Malawi Cichlids of similar size.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS ELONGATUS GOLD BAR 4.5CM
	This is a slender species with attractive patterning.  Hardy with no special requirements, it grows to about 12cm (females slightly smaller).  An active fish that can be territorial, tank-mates should be other active species of similar size.

METRIACLIMA PULPICAN (was P. KINGSIZEI BLUE) 4CM
	Also known as Cynotilapia pulpicans, the Blue Kingsizei is a very active and showy species.  It can be quite territorial (despite its small size), so provide a few hiding places.  Males are a luminous light blue overlaid with several thick vertical dark bands.  Grows to about 8cm.

METRIACLIMA PULPICAN (was P. KINGSIZEI BLUE) 5CM
	Also known as Cynotilapia pulpicans, the Blue Kingsizei is a very active and showy species.  It can be quite territorial (despite its small size), so provide a few hiding places.  Males are a luminous light blue overlaid with several thick vertical dark bands.  Grows to about 8cm.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS PERSPICAX 5CM
	One of the smaller Malawi Cichlids, this is a relatively peaceful species and is easy to care for.  Males are quite striking with a fluorescent orange-pink colour across the head and into the dorsal fin.  Well suited to community aquaria containing smaller Malawi species.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS PERSPICAX 6CM
	One of the smaller Malawi Cichlids, this is a relatively peaceful species and is easy to care for.  Males are quite striking with a fluorescent orange-pink colour across the head and into the dorsal fin.  Well suited to community aquaria containing smaller Malawi species.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS SALOUSI 4.5CM

The Saulosi is a beautiful active species, found only at Taiwan reef, near the centre of the lake.  Young fish and adult females are completely bright yellow.  Young males are also yellow, but at about 5cm they begin to darken, eventually turning blue-black with bright blue vertical bars.  This fish is ideal for a Malawi community aquarium containing small to medium sized species.  Grows to 8-9cm.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS SALOUSI 5CM

The Saulosi is a beautiful active species, found only at Taiwan reef, near the centre of the lake.  Young fish and adult females are completely bright yellow.  Young males are also yellow, but at about 5cm they begin to darken, eventually turning blue-black with bright blue vertical bars.  This fish is ideal for a Malawi community aquarium containing small to medium sized species.  Grows to 8-9cm.

PSEUDOTROPHEUS SALOUSI 6CM

The Saulosi is a beautiful active species, found only at Taiwan reef, near the centre of the lake.  Young fish and adult females are completely bright yellow.  Young males are also yellow, but at about 5cm they begin to darken, eventually turning blue-black with bright blue vertical bars.  This fish is ideal for a Malawi community aquarium containing small to medium sized species.  Grows to 8-9cm.

SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI ELECTRIC BLUE 4CM
	Electric Blue is an apt name for this very popular Cichlid.  Males are a vivid blue, rivaling any marine fish.  In the wild its diet is small fishes, but in captivity it will eat any good quality aquarium food.  An undemanding and easy to keep species, grows to 13-15cm, sometimes larger.

SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI ELECTRIC BLUE 4CM QTY 20+
	Electric Blue is an apt name for this very popular Cichlid.  Males are a vivid blue, rivaling any marine fish.  In the wild its diet is small fishes, but in captivity it will eat any good quality aquarium food.  An undemanding and easy to keep species, grows to 13-15cm, sometimes larger.

SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI ELECTRIC BLUE 5CM
	Electric Blue is an apt name for this very popular Cichlid.  Males are a vivid blue, rivaling any marine fish.  In the wild its diet is small fishes, but in captivity it will eat any good quality aquarium food.  An undemanding and easy to keep species, grows to 13-15cm, sometimes larger.

SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI ELECTRIC BLUE 5CM QTY 20+
	Electric Blue is an apt name for this very popular Cichlid.  Males are a vivid blue, rivaling any marine fish.  In the wild its diet is small fishes, but in captivity it will eat any good quality aquarium food.  An undemanding and easy to keep species, grows to 13-15cm, sometimes larger.

SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI ICEBERG ELECTRIC BLUE 5CM
	The Iceberg is an attractive lighter coloured variation of this popular species.  In the wild its diet is small fishes, but in captivity it will eat any good quality aquarium food.  An undemanding and easy to keep species, grows to 13-15cm, sometimes larger.

TROPHEOPS SPECIES CHILUMBA MPHANGA ROCKS 4.5CM
	Juveniles and female are yellow, males turn blue with some dark barring, and they also develop a black and red banded dorsal fin.  Easy to care for, Tropheops appreciate plenty of vegetable based foods in their diet.

TANGERINE ZEBRA (M. ESTHERAE) 4CM
	Another popular and attractive form of Zebra.  Regularly use foods rich in carotenoids, to enhance the fish's natural colour.  Robust and easy to keep, grows to 12cm or more.

METRIACLIMA ZEBRA SP LONG PELVIC 5CM
	Found in the northwestern region of the lake, this is one of the rarer species available.  Displays a barred body superficially similar to the well known Zebra, but with a light blue to lilac colour.  An aggressive species, but very attractive, grows to about 10cm.  Females have a similar colour pattern to the males but not as colourful.

METRIACLIMA ZEBRA SP LONG PELVIC 6CM
	Found in the northwestern region of the lake, this is one of the rarer species available.  Displays a barred body superficially similar to the well known Zebra, but with a light blue to lilac colour.  An aggressive species, but very attractive, grows to about 10cm.  Females have a similar colour pattern to the males but not as colourful.

COBALT BLUE ZEBRA (M. CALLAINOS) 4CM
	The Cobalt Blue is a very appealing fish, as even very young specimens are a vivid light blue in colour.  Very active and can be aggressive, but otherwise a hardy and easy to keep species.  Best kept with other robust Malawi cichlids in a large aquarium.  Usually grows to 12-14cm.

COBALT BLUE ZEBRA (M. CALLAINOS) 5CM
	The Cobalt Blue is a very appealing fish, as even very young specimens are a vivid light blue in colour.  Very active and can be aggressive, but otherwise a hardy and easy to keep species.  Best kept with other robust Malawi cichlids in a large aquarium.  Usually grows to 12-14cm.

COBALT BLUE ZEBRA (M. CALLAINOS) 6CM
	The Cobalt Blue is a very appealing fish, as even very young specimens are a vivid light blue in colour.  Very active and can be aggressive, but otherwise a hardy and easy to keep species.  Best kept with other robust Malawi cichlids in a large aquarium.  Usually grows to 12-14cm.

ORANGE BLOTCH ZEBRA (M. ZEBRA) 4CM
	The Orange Blotch is an attractive form of Zebra often simply referred to as the OB Zebra.  Specimens display a mosaic of colour which may include orange, blue, black, brown or yellow in varying amounts and hues.  A very hardy and active fish, growing to 12-14cm.

ORANGE BLOTCH ZEBRA (M. ZEBRA) 5CM
	The Orange Blotch is an attractive form of Zebra often simply referred to as the OB Zebra.  Specimens display a mosaic of colour which may include orange, blue, black, brown or yellow in varying amounts and hues.  A very hardy and active fish, growing to 12-14cm.

ORANGE BLOTCH ZEBRA (M. ZEBRA) 6CM
	The Orange Blotch is an attractive form of Zebra often simply referred to as the OB Zebra.  Specimens display a mosaic of colour which may include orange, blue, black, brown or yellow in varying amounts and hues.  A very hardy and active fish, growing to 12-14cm.

ORANGE BLOTCH ZEBRA (M. ZEBRA) 8CM
	The Orange Blotch is an attractive form of Zebra often simply referred to as the OB Zebra.  Specimens display a mosaic of colour which may include orange, blue, black, brown or yellow in varying amounts and hues.  A very hardy and active fish, growing to 12-14cm.

RED ZEBRA (M. ESTHERAE) 4CM
	Red Zebras are very appealing with their bright red colouration and active manner.  Robust and easy to keep, grows to 12cm or more.  Regularly use foods rich in carotenoids, to enhance the fish's natural red colour.