Page 151 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CICHLIDS/LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS 149

Pseudotropheus socolofi Maylandia barlowi Labeotropheus trewavasae
Eduardi Golden Fuscoides Trewavas’s Cichlid

ORIGINS East Africa, occurring in the middle of the ORIGINS East Africa, occurring in the southern part of ORIGINS East Africa, in Lake Malawi, where this species
eastern side of Lake Malawi, in rocky coastal areas. Lake Malawi, especially around the Maleri Islands. is widely distributed.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Quite peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Males are quite aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Males are aggressive.
Golden-yellow coloration predominates in
these cichlids. This mbuna species has a highly
fragmented distribution in Lake Malawi because
fish will not stray from their rocky feeding
grounds over adjacent sandy areas, so they never
establish themselves in new habitats. The result is
that they are restricted to isolated populations and
thus show a considerable diversity in coloration.
Males display such strong territorial instincts that
they cannot be mixed safely in the aquarium.
Both sexes of Eduardi are predominantly blue in
color; yellow egg-spots at the rear of the anal fin This blue cichlid is very similar to Fuelleborn’s
serve to distinguish the male. The term “mbuna,” Cichlid (see below) in terms of its requirements and
which is applied to a number of cichlids from appearance, although numerous color morphs are
Lake Malawi, derives from a local Chichewa recognized. Trewavas’ Cichlid is slightly slimmer
word for these fish, which feed on algae and smaller than its relative, with red markings
and associated invertebrates in rocky areas. sometimes apparent on its fins. Within Lake
The Eduardi is a mouth-brooding species, with Malawi, it occurs in deeper water than
the female caring for the eggs. Darker caudal fin Fuelleborn’s, which prefers coastal shallows.

Labeotropheus fuelleborni
Fuelleborn’s Cichlid

ORIGINS East Africa, in Lake Malawi, most common
in the southwest and absent from the northeast.
SIZE 7 in (18 cm).
DIET Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Males are not social.
This cichlid usually carries yellow markings on
the sides of its body, but color otherwise varies
considerably between individuals. Males are
aggressive by nature, fighting with rivals and
doggedly pursuing potential mates. For this
reason, house just one male with a number of
females. The males can, however, be kept safely
in the company of various other mbuna cichlids,
including Melanochromis species. When breeding,
a mature male establishes a favored spawning
ground, often inside a cave. The female lay
her eggs and takes them into her mouth for
protection. Attracted by the egg spots on the
male’s anal fin, she takes in sperm to fertilize the
eggs in her mouth. The male takes no further part
in caring for the brood, so it is best to transfer the
female to a separate tank. She will release the
young cichlids about three weeks later. Rearing
foods can include powdered flake.

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