Cichlids are one of the most species-rich and diverse families of vertebrates, and nowhere are their radiations more spectacular than in the Great Lakes of East Africa: lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria, each of which contains several hundred endemic species, with the largest number in Lake Malawi.

All Malawian cichlids are considered aggressive, and do not belong in a community tank. Normally, they should only be kept with other African cichlids of similar temperament, with a few notable exceptions that include some species of hardy catfish.

All Lake Malawi species are maternal mouthbrooders, which means that when breeding, the female scoops up the eggs and holds them in her mouth for several weeks – in fact until well after the fry have hatched. This makes their fry larger and more capable of surviving on their own once released.

If breeding in the aquarium, it should be noted that it’s relatively common for first time mothers to swallow the eggs if she is overstressed.