Location: Lion’s Cove.
Biotope: Sediment-free Rocky Habitat.
Size: 9cm, females a little smaller.
Diet: It picks at the aufwuch covered rocks and its diet mainly consists of diatoms and algae. There method of grazing isn’t very efficient like the Labeotropheus or Metriaclima. Individuals are usually found alone or in small groups. Feed a diet high in vegetable matter, like high quality spirulina pellet or flake.
Temperment: Males can be very aggressive in the aquaria. If not kept with enough females he will pester them to death. They do stay fairly small but make up for it with their attitude. Females aren’t nearly as aggressive but will occasionally fight amongst themselves. A good enforcer fish to put with these to keep them in order is Ps. sp. ‘zebra long pelvic.’ They keep them in line and are also great for Ps.demasoni.
Spawning Behaviour: Males dig burrows underneath small rocks in the wild and are very territorial and aggressive in their defence. The males when in full breeding colour are a sight to be seen! They almost glow, but can change their colour within seconds if disturbed. This species isn’t very prolific in the wild and not very common.
Breeding: Males are rough on females and can force them to spit in the aquaria. Females should be removed to hold the fry in peace. Females, hold anywhere from 15-25 fry, and the fry are brown at first. Females are also brown in colour and a group of 4-8 females should be kept per male. This depends on how aggressive the dominant male is and the size of the tank. Males are white/sky blue with a black facemask and black pelvic fins. They’re stunning when in full breeding coloration.
 
References:
Konings, Ad. (1990). Ad Konings's Book of Cichlids and All The Other Fishes of Lake Malawi: NJ: T.F.H. Publications Inc.
Konings, Ad. (1997). Back to Nature Guide to: Malawi Cichlids: Germany: Fohrman Aquaristik AB |
