Fish Guide

Labeotropheus
Blue mbuna, Labeotropheus fuelleborni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Actinopterygii   Order: Perciformes   Family: Cichlidae   Genus: Labeotropheus Ahl, 1926
Species
See text.

Labeotropheus is a genus of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. It includes at least 2 species, each with a number of subspecies or races. Further taxonomic work is required to determine how many species exist. These cichlids are popular ornamental fish and are ideally suited to the cichlid aquarium. Like many Malawi cichlids, Labeotropheus species are algal grazers.

Species

• Blue mbuna, Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1926.
  Scrapermouth mbuna, Labeotropheus trewavasae Fryer, 1956.

In the aquarium

Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi these cichlids are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Labeotropheus are best kept in aquariums with volumes greater than 120 l (31.5 gallon). The aquarium should be decorated with rocks, although caves can also be easily created from terracotta pots.

References

• "Labeotropheus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.