Lake Malawi

Subject: Lake Malawi 10/28/2009, 7:18 pm

Lake Malawi has a larger variety of cichlid species than any other lake. So far over 500 different endemic species of cichlids have been found in lake Malawi. Malawi cichlids are often brightly colored and patterned. Because of this they have become popular aquarium fish. Different types of cichlids are found in lake Malawi. "Mbuna" ( pronounced umboona) are one type found in lake Malawi. Mbuna are rock dwelling fish. The name Mbuna means rock living in one of the local languages around lake Malawi. These fish are often found along the shoreline. They graze off of algae that grows on the rocks they inhabit, and also eat some small insects and snails. Many people keep these fish in groups in aquaria. They are territorial and require a large tank with a lot of rock work in the tank. They should be fed a plant based diet. Haps are another type of cichlid found in lake Malawi. Haps once belonged to the genus Haplochromis. They are also called "peacocks" and many now belong to the genus Aulonocara. These fish are mainly pisciovores, meaning they eat other fish. Where Mbuna inhabit rocky areas, Haps are generally found in open water. Haps generally have long and slender bodies. Juveniles and females are usually drably colored, while males are often brightly colored. It usually not recommended to mix haps with mbuna, as the mbuna are more aggressive and territorial. Fish from this lake like a pH from 7.8 to 8.6.