Lake Malawi Cichlids: Species Profiles, Setup & Breeding

The Lake Malawi Cichlids are incredibly colorful fish and are a popular choice among aquarists. They are found in the warm, clear waters of Lake Malawi in Africa and come in an array of shapes and sizes. It is estimated there may exceed 800 species, but only 300 have been recognized so far;

The two main groups of fish found in this lake are Mbunas and Haplochromines (Haps). The former is often referred to as rockfish due to their habitation near the rocky shorelines. They’re small in size with vibrant colors, while Haps have a more subdued appearance but can be less aggressive.

Much like many other African Cichlids, the males have brighter colors than the females, making them particularly attractive to aquarium owners.