LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae
Genus Taeniolethrinops.
The name comes from two words: taenio (stripe) and lethrinops, meaning this genus can be called the “striped lethrinops”. The genus received this name due to its close similarity to the genus Lethrinops and a different melanin pattern. Utaka group cichlids. Small to medium-sized cichlids that are predominantly found in sandy biotopes and have a characteristic tooth structure. Black pigmentation on the body in the form of diagonal stripes. The pattern on the body varies from species to species. It can consist of vertical stripes, spots, or diagonal stripes. Sometimes the pattern is barely noticeable. The coloration of dominant adult males shimmers with beautiful green and blue shades, especially in obliquely falling light.
They feed on small living organisms inhabiting the upper layers of sand, for which these cichlids sift sand through their mouths. Some species bury themselves in the sand up to their eyes in search of food. Quite sensitive and peaceful cichlids that are not recommended to be kept with more aggressive varieties. The bottom of the aquarium should be covered with a thick layer of fine sand. Different species build different types of sand nests. Males defend their territory, at least during the spawning period. Caves and rock shelters can serve as protection for incubating females.
— Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis [Regan, 1922]. Synonym: Haplochromis praeorbitalis, Lethrinops macrorhynchus, fasciatus. Lake Malawi. 30 cm. Due to the rather large size of these fish species, adults and even juveniles, attention should be paid to the size of the aquarium itself when keeping them. These species require a large open area to move around. Sand or aragonite-type gravel is the best choice for substrate. Dominant males are territorial during the spawning period. Rock structures in the form of shelters should be set up for sub-dominant males and females. pH 7.0; dH 15°; T 23-28°C.
Genus Trematocranus.
Utaka group cichlids. These are medium-sized cichlids, quite high-bodied, with black pigmentation on the body in the form of three spots. The mouth is relatively small. Aeration, filtration, and regular water changes are required. Females incubate eggs in their mouths. Sometimes small abscesses form on the body of the fish, which disappear upon treatment with methylene blue (0.1 mg/l) and salt for 10-14 days. Lifespan in the aquarium is about 8 years. dH 8-20°; pH 7.2-8.5; T 23-26°C.
— Trematocranus placodon [Regan, 1922]. Synonym: Haplochromis, Cyrtocara placodon. Lake Malawi. 22 cm. In Lake Malawi, it feeds on snails because it has specialized pharyngeal jaws that crush snail shells. In the aquarium, piles of rocks arranged in the form of caves, large areas of open water for swimming, and preferably a sandy substrate are needed. The fish are territorial, and males occupy a large territory.
Males are aggressive towards each other, and only one male with several females should be kept in an aquarium. There should be no strong current in it. Filtration, aeration, and water changes are necessary. Feeds on most aquarium foods, including flakes and pellets. Snails should also be included in the diet. Before spawning, males dig large pits in the substrate and fiercely defend them. Females brood eggs in their mouths. T 23-26°C; dH 6-20°; pH 7.2-8.5.
Genus Tramitichromis.
Utaka group cichlids. They feed on insect larvae and crustaceans by sifting sand through their gills, separating anything edible, and then swallowing it. The typical melanin pattern may differ from species to species and may consist of vertical stripes, spots, or diagonal stripes (like Taeniolethrinops). Sometimes black pigmentation is barely distinguishable. Mature males are colored in beautiful green and blue tones, especially noticeable in side lighting. Females of these characteristic sand dwellers have a silvery coloration, which gives them excellent camouflage for living in these places. These fish grow large, but extremely slowly.
Quite sensitive and peaceful cichlids that are not recommended to be kept with more aggressive varieties. The bottom of the aquarium should be covered with a thick layer of fine sand. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 1 year. Males defend territories, at least during the spawning period. In most species, the center of the male’s territory consists of a nest dug or conversely piled up from sand. Sometimes sandy “castles” can reach colossal sizes. Different species build different types of sand nests. They brood offspring in their mouths.
— Tramitichromis intermedius [Trewavas, 1935]. Synonym: Lethrinops intermedia, Trematocranus intermedius. Lake Malawi. 16 cm, females are slightly smaller. Body is gray. Males have iridescent colors and green hues on their flanks and fins. Females have a more uniform, mostly brown coloration. Females and subdominant males have three black spots on their flanks.
Not overly aggressive compared to other cichlids; large, active, and aggressive fish are not suitable neighbors for them. A soft sandy substrate is necessary for the fish to find food. They sift sand to search for insect larvae and soft invertebrates. The use of gravel or other sharp-edged materials is not recommended. Males are territorial and occupy a very large area in the aquarium. In addition, it is better to keep several females per male.
They do not touch plants. In nature, they feed on crustaceans and insects. They thrive on a varied diet containing many frozen and live foods, with minor additions of pellets and flakes. They mature at the age of one year. The male digs a hole in the substrate before spawning. The female incubates eggs in her mouth. They grow very slowly. pH 8.0-9.0; dH 9-15°; T 22-26°C.
— Tramitichromis lituris [Trewavas, 1931]. Northeastern part of Lake Malawi. 16 cm. Currently, several geographic morphs of this species are known, including the yellow “Liturus Yellow” and orange “Liturus Orange” morphs. The coloration becomes especially bright during spawning behavior. The coloration of the female and juveniles is silvery. Intraspecific aggression is practically absent. The normal behavior of adult fish consists of constantly sifting the substrate through the mouth in search of food particles. They keep in small groups, usually in the lower horizon of the aquarium. The diet consists mainly of frozen foods: bloodworms, cyclops, artemia, supplemented with spirulina-containing pellets. The female incubates eggs in her mouth.
Tropheops tropheops, Tropheops microstoma.
Sciaenochromis fryeri, ahli, Electric Blue Hap. 
