Pseudotropheus

Pseudotropheus demasoni is a dwarf mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs around Pombo Rocks off the Tanzanian coast. It hugs rock surfaces more than most mbuna and is often seen swimming on its side or upside down as it explores caves and crevices. One of the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it will attack fish several times its own size and is not recommended for the beginner.

The elongate mbuna, Pseudotropheus elongatus, is a slender cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in Mbamba Bay and Nkata Bay. Over 30 different forms occur in the lake and they hybridise freely, so they should not be mixed in the aquarium. In nature females defend territories containing 'gardens' of algae. One of the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it is not recommended for the beginner.

The red zebra, Pseudotropheus estherae, is a mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found along the Mozambique and Malawi coasts from Metangula to Gome. Only described as a distinct species in 1995, it was previously regarded as a morph of Maylandia zebra, and its genus is still debated. Some males are blue and females orange, though orange and OB males occur depending on locality. Not especially aggressive for a mbuna, it will hybridise, so colour forms should never be kept together.

The goldbreast zebra, Pseudotropheus fainzilberi, is a large mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, on the north-eastern coast from Chirwa Island to Usisya. Its genus is debated, and it has been grouped in both Maylandia and Metriaclima. It has more rows of teeth than others in the genus, with the bicuspid rows extending further back into the mouth. Growing to around 175 mm and one of the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it is not a good species for the beginner.

Pseudotropheus flavus is a mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, recorded only at Chinyankwazi Island and Chinyamwezi Reef. Not especially aggressive for a mbuna, it suits the general mbuna community, but it should not be kept with any member of the P. elongatus complex: the species interbreed and their males clash heavily. Males are far more colourful than females.

Known in the hobby as the kennyi, Pseudotropheus lombardoi is a mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, confined to the Mbenji Islands and Nkhomo Reef. In a reverse of the usual mbuna pattern, dominant males are yellow and females blue, though subdominant males often turn blue and brooding females can turn yellow. One of the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it is not recommended for the novice, and commercially produced fish tend to be of lower quality than wild ones.

The powder blue cichlid, Pseudotropheus socolofi, is a mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found along the Mozambique coast between Cobue and Tumbi Point. Also known as 'Eduard's mbuna' and 'Pindani', it is one of the most popular Rift Lake cichlids and somewhat peaceful for a mbuna. Both sexes share the same powder blue colouration, which makes it hard to sex. Most fish on sale are tank-bred, and an albino form exists in aquaria.

Pseudotropheus sp. 'acei' is an undescribed mbuna endemic to the western side of Lake Malawi, around Nkhata Bay, Senga Bay and Karonga. In nature it feeds on algae and other organisms growing on submerged wood, the only known mbuna to do so exclusively, and gathers in schools around branches and logs. Relatively peaceful and easily bred, it is sometimes sold as Gephyrochromis acei, and colour forms such as 'yellow tail' and 'white tail' should not be kept together.

Pseudotropheus tropheops tropheops is a mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs between the Maleri Islands and Chinyamwezi Rocks. One of three subspecies, it has many colour forms, and none of the subspecies or their morphs should be mixed in aquaria since they hybridise. It browses at a characteristic angle of around 45°, and is relatively peaceable but able to stand up for itself in most mbuna communities.