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The Living Encyclopedia
Explore our comprehensive database of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Discover detailed care guides, morph varieties, and community setups.
fish
Sohal Tang
Acanthurus sohal
The sohal surgeonfish or sohal tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.
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Cobalt Blue Zebra
Maylandia callainos
Cobalt Blue Zebra (Maylandia callainos)
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Auratus Cichlid
Melanochromis auratus
Melanochromis auratus, the auratus cichlid, is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. It is also known as golden mbuna and Malawi golden cichlid. It is endemic to the southern region of Lake Malawi, particularly from Jalo Reef southward along the entire western coast down to Crocodile Rocks.
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Johanni Cichlid
Pseudotropheus johannii
Pseudotropheus johannii or the bluegray mbuna is an African freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae.
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Acei Cichlid
Pseudotropheus acei
Pseudotropheus sp. "acei" is a Mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi that grows to around 6 in (15 cm) in length. Although known for many years, it has not been formally described. There are two different varieties: The most common yellow-tailed Pseudotropheus sp. "acei" (Msuli), and the white-tailed Pseudotropheus sp. "acei" (Ngara). Like most Mbuna, it dwells in shallower waters, however it will sometimes go near the surface, which is very uncommon for Mbunas. It is a very common fish for fish-keepers. It gets its common name from its blue body and yellow tail. Originally discovered in 1922 by Regan, the acei was originally believed to be a Pseudotropheus, but was later changed to Gephyrochromis and then back again. It prefers the sandy and rock filled shoreline where sunken logs are easily accessed. This species has developed the advantage of being able to harvest algae from submerged logs and roots. They are equipped with typical Gephyrochromid cuspid-like teeth that are flat for removing epixlyic or epilithic algae from wood. In the lake, schools of 30-50 individuals surrounding a large log are not uncommon, however in the rocky areas; schools usually consist of 3-10 individuals.
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Bumblebee Cichlid
Pseudotropheus crabro
Pseudotropheus crabro, also known as the bumblebee cichlid or hornet cichlid, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is found in different habitats but most frequently in large caves or in the vicinity of large boulders. This species can reach a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) SL.
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Kenyi Cichlid
Maylandia lombardoi
Maylandia lombardoi, is a 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae. This species is popular in the aquarium hobby where it is sold under a variety of common names including: lombardoi mbuna, kenyi mbuna or kennyi mbuna or kenyi cichlid. This species is sometimes seen in the genus Metriaclima owing to a dispute in which a minority of cichlid researchers do not consider Maylandia valid (see Maylandia for discussion. The specific name honours the exotic fish dealer John Lombardo.
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Venustus Cichlid
Nimbochromis venustus
Nimbochromis venustus, commonly called venustus hap or giraffe hap, is a Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. It prefers the deeper regions of the lake where it hunts smaller juvenile cichlids with a specialised hunting technique. After spotting prey, it will partially submerge itself into the sand and lie motionless until the chosen fish comes within reach. it will then dart out of the sand and strike. It is related to Nimbochromis livingstonii. In the wild it is known to grow to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL though usually not exceeding a length of 22.5 centimetres (8.9 in) TL.
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Livingstonii
Nimbochromis livingstonii
Nimbochromis livingstonii, Livingston's cichlid or, kalingono, is a freshwater mouthbrooding cichlid native to Lake Malawi, an African Rift Lake. It is also found in the upper Shire River and Lake Malombe. They are found in inshore areas of the lake over sandy substrates. This species is thought to be one of the cichlids that feign death in order to lure their prey closer for a sudden strike and capture, a trait shared by other Nimbochromis spp. and some other cichlids.
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Blue Dolphin Cichlid
Cyrtocara moorii
Cyrtocara moorii, commonly known as the hump-head, is a species of haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa where they prefer areas with sandy substrates. It can grow to a length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) TL. The species is popular among aquarium keepers where it is known as the hump-head cichlid, blue dolphin cichlid, Malawi dolphin or simply as moorii. It is currently the only known member of its genus. The specific name honours the English cytologist and biologist John Edmund Sharrock Moore (1870-1947).
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Star Sapphire Cichlid
Placidochromis phenochilus
Placidochromis phenochilus is a species of cichlid that is endemic to the northern parts of Lake Malawi. This species can reach a length of 15.7 centimetres (6.2 in) TL.
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Sulfur Head Peacock
Aulonocara maylandi
The sulfurhead aulonocara or sulfurhead peacock is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi in the country of Malawi and has only been observed on West Reef and Eccles Reef. It is threatened by collection for the aquarium trade and this has caused a 70% reduction in numbers. In this mouthbrooding species, the eggs are cared for by the females only, and it is found over mixed sand and rocky areas where they hunt small invertebrates in the sand. It closely resembles the blue orchid aulonocara though it develops a yellow blaze across its dorsal In the past these two taxa have been considered to be subspecies. The specific name honours Hans-Joachim Mayland, an author on cichlids and a fishkeeper, brought the species to the attention of Ethelwynn Trewavas.
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Strawberry Peacock
Aulonocara sp.
Aulonocara is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. All Aulonocara species are maternal mouth brooders. Particularly in the aquarium hobby, Aulonocara species are also known as peacock cichlids, aulonocaras or simply "peacocks". This genus is strongly sexually dichromic, even by haplochromine standards.
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OB Peacock
Aulonocara hybrid
Aulonocara is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. All Aulonocara species are maternal mouth brooders. Particularly in the aquarium hobby, Aulonocara species are also known as peacock cichlids, aulonocaras or simply "peacocks". This genus is strongly sexually dichromic, even by haplochromine standards.
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Red Empress
Protomelas taeniolatus
Protomelas taeniolatus is a Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby due to the bright rainbow-like colors of adult males and its relatively peaceful temperament. Juvenile and female P. taeniolatus, like many Haplochromines, do not display bright coloration.
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Taiwan Reef
Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan'
Protomelas is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The genus is part of the haplochromine tribe and have maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism typical of this group. Popular in the aquarium hobby, Protomelas species are sold under a variety of trade names.
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Electric Blue Hap
Sciaenochromis fryeri
Sciaenochromis fryeri is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is found along the rocky coastal areas at depths of 10 to 40 metres. This is the bright-blue fish widely sold in the aquarium trade as the "electric blue hap", a common name also applied to the lighter blue and much less common Sciaenochromis ahli. This fish can reach a length of 11.5 centimetres (4.5 in) SL. The specific name honours Geoffrey Fryer who was Fisheries Research Officer, Joint Fisheries Research Organisation of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
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VC-10
Placidochromis milomo
The Super VC-10 hap is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi along the Malawian shores of the lake. It prefers areas with rocky substrates. This species can reach a length of 18.7 centimetres (7.4 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. In the wild uses its thickened lips to scrape algae from rocks and this seems to thicken the lips further, which tends not to be the case with aquarium specimens which have only slightly thickened lips.
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Compressiceps
Dimidiochromis compressiceps
The Malawi eyebiter is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. This predatory cichlid is found in Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe, and the upper Shire River within East Africa.
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Trout Cichlid
Champsochromis caeruleus
Champsochromis caeruleus is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes. It was discovered by scientist Dr. Roald Reias-Barkly in 1896.
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