Lake Malawi

Aristochromis christyi is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found throughout the lake but most commonly in intermediate zones. Growing to 300 mm SL, it is not particularly common in the lake or the hobby. Its beak-like mouthparts are adapted for hunting small fish in crevices between rocks, and it also ambushes prey, sometimes rolling onto its side as it approaches then taking it with a fast sideways motion.

The new yellow regal peacock, Aulonocara baenschi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known from five sites along the lake's western shoreline. It inhabits intermediate zones where rocky shores give way to sand with scattered rocks, usually at 4 to 6 metres. Also sold as the 'yellow regal cichlid', 'Baensch's peacock', 'sunshine peacock' and 'Nkhomo-Benga peacock', it is most easily told from similar congeners by its steeper, more curved snout.

The northern aulonocara, Aulonocara ethelwynnae, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known only from Chitande Island and the nearby northwest shore. Quite rarely seen in the hobby, it is most easily distinguished by the chocolate-brown striping of mature males. In intermediate zones, females and immature males form loose schools at around 3 metres while mature males hold territories deeper, at 6 to 7 metres.

The red shoulder peacock, Aulonocara hansbaenschi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known from four localities on its southeastern shore. Some authors regard it as a geographical variant of the highly variable A. stuartgranti. It is also sold as the 'firebird cichlid' and 'red peacock'. At Masinje it shows a distinct preference for rocky caves and crevices in 3 to 6 metres of water, where most of the genus forage over sand.

The Malawi butterfly, Aulonocara jacobfreibergi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, living where rocky shores give way to sand. One of the larger members of the genus, with males reaching 150 to 170 mm, it was among the first Aulonocara species in the hobby and is also sold as 'Freiberg's peacock' and 'fairy cichlid'. Males react aggressively to fish with a similar colour pattern, so tankmates need choosing with care.

The sulphurhead peacock, Aulonocara maylandi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs in two principal colour forms. Males from West Reef and Eccles Reef, in the southeast of the lake, carry a bright yellow band from the snout along the back and dorsal-fin margin. At Kande Island, off the central-western shore, the stripe is whitish and both sexes have an enlarged lower pharyngeal bone. That population was described as A. maylandi kandeensis, a name still widely used in the hobby.

The sunshine peacock, Aulonocara sp. 'stuartgranti maleri', is a cichlid endemic to the south-west of Lake Malawi around the Maleri Islands. Whether it represents an undescribed species remains unclear, and the vernacular name is confusing because it is based on that of a described taxon: it is often called A. stuartgranti 'Maleri', and the Maleri Islands fish are traded as 'yellow regal peacock'. It resembles A. baenschi but has a straighter head and snout profile and relatively smaller eyes.

The blue-faced peacock, Aulonocara sp. 'walteri', is a cichlid known only from Chizumulu Island and Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. The confusing trade name has led to it often being referred to incorrectly as 'Aulonocara walteri'. It inhabits the intermediate zones where rocky shores give way to sand, and males hold territories in caves. Males act aggressively towards any fish with a similar colour pattern, and other Aulonocara are best avoided as most can hybridise.

Grant's peacock, Aulonocara stuartgranti, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, widely distributed along both the east and west coastlines. Males vary in colour by locality, with blue forms found mostly in the north of the lake and yellow in the south, and many populations are traded under their own names. That variation has caused taxonomic problems: A. baenschi, A. korneliae and A. hueseri were all once considered forms of it. It inhabits the intermediate zones where rocky shores give way to sand.

The slender tail hap, Buccochromis lepturus, is a large cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, also known as the green lepturus. Adults live in deeper water throughout the lake, though juveniles can be seen in quite shallow water around the shorelines. Its pelagic nature makes it difficult to catch for export, so it is rarely seen for sale. It grows to 400 mm SL, and small fish will end up on the menu.

The stripeback hap, Buccochromis nototaenia, is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. It hunts juveniles of other species over sandy substrates just off the shoreline, often driving them into shallower water. It is rarely seen in the trade because it retreats at great speed into deeper water at the first sign of threat, which makes it hard to collect.

The Malawi trout, Champsochromis caeruleus, is a large predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it roams from rocky shores to open water. Also known as the trout cichlid, it is only occasionally offered for sale because its solitary lifestyle makes it difficult to collect. It is told apart from C. spilorhynchus by its more elongate shape, and at up to 32.5 cm this active, pelagic species needs a tank of at least 180 x 60 x 60 cm.

Champsochromis spilorhynchus is a large predatory cichlid known from Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River. It is only occasionally offered for sale because its solitary lifestyle makes it difficult to collect, and it is much sought after by enthusiasts. A deeper body and distinctive black markings on the snout separate it from C. caeruleus. At up to 35 cm, this active, pelagic species needs a very large tank with plenty of swimming space.

Copadichromis azureus is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in the southern part of the lake around the Maleri and Mbenji Islands. It shoals in open water around rocky shores and reefs at 20-30 metres. Dozens of colour forms exist, usually sold with the collection locality attached, and it is sometimes seen under the invalid name Haplochromis chrysonotus, which causes confusion with C. chrysonotus. Peaceful even by Copadichromis standards, it should not be kept with Mbuna.

Copadichromis borleyi is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it shoals over rocky areas and isolated boulders at 5-20 metres. One of the species most commonly encountered in the hobby, it is available in several colour morphs, often divided into yellow and red finned forms and sold with the collection locality attached, such as 'Kadango'. It is also sold under invalid names such as Haplochromis 'red Kadango'. Other Copadichromis should be left out, as they can hybridise.

Copadichromis chrysonotus is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, collected between Karonga and Monkey Bay in deep, open water. Among Copadichromis it is the best-known open-water spawner. It is not seen often in the hobby, and most fish imported under the name turn out to be C. azureus sold as 'Haplochromis chrysonotus'. Males are paler on the dorsal surface than the uniformly blue C. azureus, while the females are virtually indistinguishable.

Copadichromis ilesi is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, collected at Gome, Nkata Bay and Monkey Bay around rocky shores and reefs. Described in 1999, it was previously sold as Copadichromis 'virginalis kajose' and is a close relative of C. virginalis, with which it shoals at Gome Rock. Its females are sandy brown, and males grow larger than C. virginalis and lack the red stripe in the dorsal fin.

Copadichromis virginalis is an Utaka cichlid endemic to the northern end of Lake Malawi, shoaling in open water around rocky shores and reefs. Numerous colour forms exist and are usually sold with the collection locality attached, such as 'Gold Nkanda'. It shoals alongside the similar C. ilesi at some locations, but males have a red stripe along the dorsal fin and the females are silver. Peaceful even by Copadichromis standards, it should not be combined with Mbuna.

The dogtooth cichlid, Cynotilapia afra, is a Mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found around the rocky shoreline. It is easily confused with some Pseudotropheus but has unicuspid teeth, and its black flank bars continue into the dorsal fin. The many colour forms should not be mixed, as they interbreed. Belligerent and very aggressive towards its own species, it is one of the hardier Mbuna and a good choice for the newcomer to these fish.

The Malawi blue dolphin, Cyrtocara moorii, is a large, peaceful cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found mainly over shallow sandy areas. Formerly named Haplochromis moorii, it shoals in nature and follows substrate-sifting species such as Fossorochromis rostratus to feed on morsels stirred up from the sand. Males reach at least 25 cm, and it should not be kept with boisterous species such as mbuna.

The Malawi eye-biter, Dimidiochromis compressiceps, is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is widely distributed. An ambush predator, it hides head-down among Vallisneria beds, its laterally compressed body and dark stripe from snout to tail helping to conceal it. Despite its name it mainly hunts small fish, and eye-eating happens infrequently in nature and rarely, if ever, in aquaria with well-fed specimens.

Fossorochromis rostratus is a large, sand-sifting cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, most common over shallow sandy substrates. When startled it may bury itself, and a sand substrate is essential since gravel may injure it. A very fast, active swimmer, it needs open water and should not be kept with boisterous species such as mbuna. Shoals of Cyrtocara moorii follow feeding groups in the wild to take the morsels they stir up.

The rusty cichlid, Iodotropheus sprengerae, is a dwarf mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, around the islands of Boadzulu, Chinyankwazi and Chinyamwezi. One of the least aggressive and smallest mbuna in the hobby, it is easily outcompeted by bigger species and can be kept in smaller tanks. It is sometimes confused with certain populations of Labidochromis vellicans, and as a polygamous maternal mouthbrooder is easily bred.

Fuelleborn's cichlid, Labeotropheus fuelleborni, is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found in turbulent shallow water around rocky shorelines. An overhanging snout and chisel-shaped teeth let it graze algae from rocks other species cannot reach. It occurs in many colour forms, including orange and orange blotch females, and forms should not be mixed as they may hybridise. It is aggressive and territorial and should not be kept with peacocks or utaka.

Trewavas' cichlid, Labeotropheus trewavasae, is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, living around rocky shorelines and islands with heavy algal growth. It is told from the similar L. fuelleborni by its more slender body and smaller adult size, and has been recorded at greater depths. Over 40 colour forms are recorded in nature, and they should not be mixed in aquaria as they may hybridise. It is very aggressive towards its own kind.

Labidochromis caeruleus is a relatively peaceful mbuna from the northern part of Lake Malawi, best known in the hobby for its 'electric yellow' morph. That morph is one of the rarer forms in nature, where the blue and white variety is more widespread, and most fish on sale are tank-bred. It lives among rocks and in beds of Vallisneria. It was originally imported as L. tanganyicae, and should not be mixed with other forms or Labidochromis species as they may hybridise.

Labidochromis sp. 'perlmutt' is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, known from Higga Reef and Mbamba Bay, where it lives in deep rocky zones. Discovered in 1995, it takes its name from the German for 'mother of pearl', after the pearly white colouration of adults, and is also sold as Labidochromis sp. 'yellow bar'. The Mbamba Bay Island population closely resembles L. caeruleus and the two hybridise freely, so they should not be kept together.

The cobalt blue zebra, Maylandia callainos, is an mbuna endemic to the north of Lake Malawi. Formerly Pseudotropheus callainos and Metriaclima callainos, it is still named as one of these by many sources and has been sold as Pseudotropheus zebra 'pearly'. It is very easily confused with similar species such as M. estherae and M. benetos. Aggressive and territorial, it can be combined with other mbuna but not with peaceful species such as peacocks or utaka.

The red top ice blue zebra, Maylandia greshakei, is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found only around Makokola in the southeast of the lake. It inhabits the upper parts of rocky reefs next to open water, leaving the reef to feed on phytoplankton. Formerly Pseudotropheus greshakei and Metriaclima greshakei, it is still named as either of these by many sources. Aggressive and territorial, it can be combined with other mbuna but not with peaceful species such as peacocks or utaka.

The zebra mbuna, Maylandia zebra, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits rocky zones around shores, reefs and islands. One of the more aggressive mbuna, it is not a fish for a general community aquarium. It should be kept in a Malawi tank at around three females to each male.

Mchenga flavimanus is a peaceful utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known from Nkhata Bay and the islands of Chitande, Mbowe and Kande. It shoals in large numbers in open water over sand and isolated boulders at 5 to 20 metres, feeding on zooplankton. Still listed as a Copadichromis in much of the literature, it suits a peaceful Lake Malawi community, but should not be kept with mbuna or with other Mchenga or Copadichromis, since they can hybridise.

The golden mbuna, Melanochromis auratus, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, common down the western coast and along the southern end of the lake. One of the most aggressive and territorial mbuna, it is not recommended for the beginner. Mature males turn dark, unlike the golden females and juveniles, and older females often darken until they superficially resemble males. Other Melanochromis should not be kept with it, as they may hybridise.

Melanochromis chipokae is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found only around Chindunga Rocks, a reef just off the island of Chipoka. One of the predatory 'pike auratus' group, it eats fry as well as crustaceans and algae. Females and juvenile males are easily confused with M. auratus, but have a more pointed mouth and a fully striped caudal fin. Arguably the most aggressive mbuna, it is not recommended for the beginner.

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, known from one locality on the northeastern shore of Likoma Island. Formerly known as M. 'maingano', it is sometimes incorrectly sold as 'electric blue' johanni. Dominant males are bluish overall, where the similar M. johanni has more black patterning. Aggressive and territorial, it should not be kept with other Melanochromis, as they may hybridise.

Melanochromis johanni is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found in shallow rocky coastal areas around Masinje Rocks and Cape Ngombo. Males are blue-black with bright blue striping and females orange. The blacker dominant males separate it from the bluer M. cyaneorhabdos, and it is sometimes sold as 'electric blue johanni'. Less aggressive than most Melanochromis, it can be housed with similarly-sized mbuna.

Melanochromis lepidiadaptes is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found only in a limited area around Makanjila Point on the eastern side. Originally sold as M. fuscus and then M. sp. 'lepidophage', it apparently feeds almost solely on the scales of other species in nature, though not other mbuna. Relatively peaceful for a Melanochromis, it suits a Lake Malawi aquarium with cichlids of similar size and disposition.

Known in the trade as 'Haplochromis yellow-black line', Mylochromis melanonotus is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. Rarely imported, it caused confusion because some individuals have a shovel-like lower jaw. Ad Konings found wild populations with and without it, and Platygnathochromis and M. semipalatus are now regarded as synonyms. A sandy substrate is essential, and it will eat small fish.

Nimbochromis livingstonii is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is fairly widespread. An ambush predator, it lies motionless on the substrate and its mottled pattern makes it appear dead to the smaller fish that come to investigate. This 'playing dead' behaviour gave it the local name 'Kaligono', loosely 'sleeper'. It is not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community.

The venustus, Nimbochromis venustus, is a predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is fairly widespread. Also sold as 'giraffe hap' or 'giraffe cichlid' after its pattern of irregular dark markings, it is an ambush predator that lies motionless on the substrate to take smaller fish. It is not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community.

The sulphur-headed hap, Otopharynx lithobates, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it lives among caves and crevices in rocky areas. A true rock dweller, it is hardly ever seen in open water, even in aquaria. In breeding males the three flank spots are masked by neon blue patterning and the dorsal fin and top of the head turn deep yellow-orange. It has been sold in the trade as 'Aristochromis sp. red top'.

The deepwater hap, Placidochromis electra, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, living over sandy bottoms usually below 7 metres. In nature it feeds on invertebrates stirred up by digging substrate feeders such as Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis. The common name dates from when it was thought to live only in much deeper water. A very gentle species, it is unsuited to a mbuna community, and its colour forms should not be kept together as they may hybridise.

The Super VC 10 hap, Placidochromis milomo, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in the southern part of the lake and at Nkhata Bay. Wild fish have massively enlarged lips for scraping algae and invertebrates from rocks, but these usually recede in the aquarium and do not develop at all in tank-bred fish. Relatively peaceful, it does well with larger Malawians but not mbuna, and only one male should be kept unless the tank is very large.

Known as the fenestratus, Protomelas fenestratus is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in the northern and southwestern parts of the lake. It inhabits rocky shorelines and the sandy zones beyond them, feeding by blowing sediment from rocks and taking what it uncovers. A gentle species unsuited to the boisterous mbuna community, it should not be kept with P. taeniolatus or Protomelas sp. 'steveni taiwan reef', as they may hybridise.

Protomelas pleurotaenia is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known from Nkhata Bay and Monkey Bay, where it lives in vegetation between rock and sand. It feeds by blowing at the top layer of the substrate, usually sand, and eating the invertebrates it uncovers. Rare in the hobby, it is gentle and unsuited to the mbuna community, though it becomes territorial when breeding.

Protomelas sp. 'steveni taiwan reef' is an undescribed cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found at Taiwan Reef, Higga Reef and Mbamba Bay Island. Often sold as a subspecies of P. fenestratus, it is thought to be distinct, and adult males are told from P. fenestratus and P. taeniolatus by their bright red anal fin. Males hold territories on flat rock deeper than 20 metres, and in nature these can measure 5 or 6 feet across.

Protomelas taeniolatus is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is widespread over rocky areas of shallow, clear water. Very similar to P. fenestratus, it is one of the more popular Protomelas, and its colour forms include 'Red Empress', 'Super Red Empress' and 'Blue Fire'. Some of these may be reclassified as distinct species, as they reach different maximum sizes. Tougher than its congeners, it can even be kept with mbuna.

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 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.

The electric blue hap, Sciaenochromis fryeri, is a non-mbuna cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found along rocky shorelines and the sandy zones beyond. It was previously imported and classified as Sciaenochromis ahli, and is still named as such in much of the literature. Males of every morph are blue and differ only in the fins, and the morphs should not be mixed because they will hybridise. Highly piscivorous in nature, it should not be kept with mbuna.

The Lake Malawi Synodontis, Synodontis njassae, is the only Synodontis catfish in Lake Malawi, to which it is endemic. Both large- and small-spotted morphs are available in the trade. A fairly vigorous species, it suits a community of hard water Lake Malawi cichlids but not shy species, and it will fight with other Synodontis but is not aggressive towards its own kind.

Tramitichromis intermedius is a sand-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, widespread in the south of the lake. It sifts sediment-rich sand or mud for food, so a soft sandy substrate is essential. Species like this can be delicate, and small, regular water changes are a necessity. The genus differs from Lethrinops only in part of the lower jaw dentition, and this species is likely to be moved to another genus.

The snail-crusher hap, Trematocranus placodon, is a large cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits shallow water. A molluscivore, it feeds mainly on snails, crushing their shells with specially developed pharyngeal teeth. It suits the larger Malawian community but is not often seen for sale. Males are territorial and aggressive towards one another.

The big-mouth hap, Tyrannochromis macrostoma, is a large predatory cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, living in shallow rocky areas. An ambush predator, it often attacks prey while swimming upside-down, and its reverse countershading (a belly darker than its back) is thought to make it harder to spot. Mbuna are its natural diet, and juveniles are easily confused with T. nigriventer.

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.