Labeotropheus trewavasae

Labeotropheus trewavasae


Also Known as: Nyasa Cichlid, Trawavasae’s Cichlid



Scientific Name: Labeotropheous Trawavasae



Appearance: While Labeotropheous Trawavasae come in many flavors there is a general appearance you are looking for. In fact, there are around 40 variations on the color and pattern. They are typically identified by as Labeotropheous Trawavasae followed by the region of Lake Mawali they come from and/or a particular distinguishing feature. While they are similar in shape to the Labeotropheous Fuelleborni with their elongated bodies and pointed anal fin, this cichlid tends to be more narrowly shaped than other mbuna. Like Labeo. Fuelleborni they also possess an under-slung jaw, used primary for scraping alage from rocks.



There are exceptions to the slender appearance. For example, “jumbos” are said to be found in the wild near the Chilumba region. These fish are wider than the typical Labeo. Trawavasae given an shape closer to Labeo. Fuelleborni. This difference in appearance has been attributed to these fish being found in submerged reefs rather than the rocky coast most Labeotropheus Trawavasae are normally found.



While there are a terrific number of variations of male patterns, they all then toward being blue with dark bands and yellow to red anal, dorsal and caudal fins. The rare “marmalade cat” is an oddity amongst males. These males tend to be speckled or marbled with blue and orange. According to malawicichlids.com, this variation was fish named such by Trevor E. “Peter” Davies who, along with his wife, were important fish exporters in the 1960s and 1970s. According to them they would only find about on of this variation a year!



Females possess a wider variety of variations. Some are marble black with orange or yellow tinted bodies, other simply speckled and even others can be sometimes found with an appearance very similar to the males.



Cichlid-forum.com hosts a wonderful catalog of cichlid types by region. The portion of the catalog featuring Laberotropheous Trawavasae can be found at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=104[/font] . They also have a solid chronicle on breeding that can be found here: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/l_trewavasae.php .



Behavior: Labeotropheous Trawavasae can be quite aggressive. Keeping a tank a well filtered overstocked tank in the key to keeping down their aggression. Also, you should typical have several females to each male – best kept in at least a 3:1 ratio.



They are maternal mouthbrooders. The female will hold for nearly 3 weeks before fry are born. Because she will not be able to eat during this time, her fry are best isolated into a hospital tank before spits. Allow the female at least a week of recovery time before reintroducing her so that she will be back up to full health. However, you should not wait to long otherwise hierarchies in the tank could change siginifigantly and reintroduced females have found themselves the victim of a male who has bonded with another female in the take with maiming or even death being the result.



Like all mbuna, these cichlids require plenty of rock work with caves and holes for them to hide in and swim through. Keep in mind their size as you structure your rock work so that they can comfortably fit.



Feeding: Good quality flake high in Spirulina, algae wafers, and occasional brine shrimp. It is good to add some fresh vegetable to their diet on a weekly basis such as blanched cucumber, zucchini or broccoli.

Minimum Aquarium Size: 4 foot long 45 to 55 Gallon

Size: About 4.5 Inches – sometimes found as much as 6 or 7 inches, but mostly in the wild.



Male Labeotropheus Trewavasae: Typical Male Red Top Trewavasae




Female Labeotropheus Trewavasae: Chimlumba variety of female - Orange body with speckling of black.[/b]





Female Labeotropheus Trewavasae: Hongi variety of female - Yellow body with speckling of black.[/b]





Three Trews: Two Males and a single female holding. Yes, female is holding.




Document Sources


Lawrence, Eleanor. An Instant Guide to Aquarium Fish. Crescent Books, New York. 1991.


Oliver, M. K. Ph. D. Cichlids of Lake Mawali, Africa. <http://malawicichlids.com/mw09000d.htm> 01 November 2009. 1 June 2008.


Morfitt, Chris. Labeotropheus trewavasae "Jumbo".

<http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Morfitt_Labeotropheus_trewavasaehtml.htm> 01 November 2009.


Zezza, Francesco. Labeotropheus Fuellenori and Labeotropheus Trewavasae.

<http://www.mchportal.com/aquatic-life-mainmenu-114/aquatic-life-freshwater-mainmenu-142/tropical-fish-mainmenu-148/577-labeotropheus-fuelleborni.html> 01 November 2009. 05 September 2009.

Need to go through and fix some of the format. I'll take care of it later.

great job bro, keep it up

Hongi Look good. Cleaning the thread up would be nice

Darn it - tried to clean it up and now it won't let me edit it again - sigh

Fixed - please feel free to toss anymore information you think should be added. If it is from a specific source if you could please cite it.