The Mbuna Group

In the early seventies, aquarium enthusiasm owed its unusual fascination with cichlids to the emergence of the Malawian cichlids group Mbuna, which received this name from local fishermen. The inhabitants of the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, feeding mainly on algae, covering cliffs and stone placers to a depth of 20 meters with a lush carpet, were distinguished by an exceptionally bright color, which rivaled that of coral fish. Representatives of the following genera turned out to be the most popular among Mbuna: cynotilapia (Cynotilapia Regan, 1921), iodotrophaeus (Iodotropheus Oliver et Loiselle, 1972), labeotrophheus (Labeotropheus Ahl, 1927), labidochromis (Labidochromis Trewavanasromis, 1935) 1935), petrotilapia (Petrotilapia Trewavas, 1935) and pseudotrophheus (Pseudotropheus Regan, 1921).

It turned out that by carefully selecting the communities of these vegetarian fish in size, color, temperament, you can create solid collections in one large aquarium, the device of which was described earlier. Instead of algae, lettuce, spinach, dandelion and even parsley, steamed oats and peas, black and white bread, etc. can serve as food. Small additives of animal feed - coronetre, daphnia, enchitrea and bloodworms, high-protein dry feed (up to 20-30% of the total) - supplement the diet. Fish in the aquarium grow larger than in nature, and give numerous offspring. And, which is also very important, with such a diet, cichlids do not touch many aquatic plants.

Melanochromis Johann (Melanochromis johanni (Eccles, 1973)) - one of the most popular Malawian cichlids, which stands out for its exceptionally beautiful yellow-orange coloration of fry and females. Males with the onset of puberty completely change their color, becoming blue-black with two bright bluish-blue stripes along the body. Such a transformation for "Mbuna" is not uncommon, which, undoubtedly, causes understandable bewilderment for novice lovers of cichlids. However, at an early age it is rather difficult to distinguish between males and females. Ceteris paribus, males are slightly larger and have more clearly defined yellow speck-spotters on the anal fin, similar to eggs. Size in nature does not exceed 8 cm, females are smaller.

Reproduction is the same as that of other Malawians. Females incubating eggs for three weeks in the mouth hide among stones in shallow water.

Labeotropheus Fuelleborn (Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1927) - very polymorphic and impressive looking. Depending on the habitat, individuals are found from dark blue to blue and from almost orange to bright yellow with black-brown spots. For the elongated shape of the nose of the fish characteristic of the genus, they also received the name cichlid-tapir. Under favorable conditions, fish grow up to 18-20 cm, while females are approximately 25% smaller. The habitat of Labotrophaeus in nature is limited by the upper seven meters of rocky ridges, lushly overgrown with algae, where they find places for feeding, shelter and grounds for spawning. Very territorial, especially in mating season, and need a large aquarium, preferably at least 1.5 meters long. Spawning is better in the cave, as it is noted that the fertilization of eggs takes place outside the mouth of the female and the fertilized caviar remains unprotected for a longer time than usual. Three weeks later, females release fry in shallow water, where their further development and growth occur in well-warmed water. In conditions of aquarium cultivation at the age of 8-9 months, fish are already able to bear offspring.

Pseudotrophheus zebra (Pseudotropheus zebra (Boulenger, 1899)) - One of the three types of Malawian cichlids that first appeared in Russia in 1973. It is characterized by amazing polymorphism. Currently, more than 50 natural color options are known. Classical zebra variations received the following generally accepted designations:

BB - (Black Bars) - striped zebra; corresponds to the traditional form of color in males with dark transverse stripes on a pale blue background;
IN - (Blue) - blue form;
W - (White) - white form;
OV - (Orange Blotch) - yellow-orange form with black-brown spots;
RB - (Red-Blue) - an orange-red female and a blue male, the so-called red zebra;
Rr - (Red-Red) - a red female and a red male, the so-called double red zebra.

Other color variations Ps. zebra is called, indicating along with the designation the name of the area in the area of \u200b\u200bwhich the capture was made. For example, a blue zebra from the island of Maleri (Ps. Zebra in Maleri Island); Chilumba striped zebra (Ps. sp. zebra BB Chilumba); Kawanga Golden Zebra (Ps. sp. Kawanga), etc.

It should be noted that the color of the fish to a large extent depends on their age and condition. So, for example, fry of the classical striped zebra have a uniform grayish-brown color, which only at the age of 6-7 months begins to turn into striped in males and spotted in females; the fry of the red zebra RB are brightly colored already at a young age, while the females are orange-red, and the males look dark gray and only at sexually mature age become pale blue.

Frightened by capture and transportation, the fish sharply lose their brightness, which is almost a natural phenomenon for cichlids, so one can only judge their true color by adult active specimens grown using vitamins rich in feed and in a calm environment. If stronger territorial fish live in the neighborhood, adolescents of Malawian cichlids may never (!) Achieve the color characteristic of the species, and the only way to solve the problem is to plant a group of fish, weakened by the constant stress of oppression, into a separate aquarium. Here you can expect manifestations of normal color within a few days.

The apogee of the manifestation of the vital activity of fish and the associated development of secondary sexual characteristics - lengthening fins, increasing brightness and stabilizing color, developing a greasy pillow in the forehead in males, etc. - is the multiple participation of fish in breeding. The cycles of choosing a mating partner caused by this, taking possession of the territory and protecting it, cleaning up the intended place (or places) for spawning, pre-spawning games with a demonstration of strength and beauty, spawning in itself and the complex of active actions determined by this contribute to the development of color and, if possible, put it, self-assertion of males and females as true owners in the aquarium. At the same time, the lover should not forget that the Mbuna females, as well as the males, are territorial and armed with sharp grater teeth, allowing them to scrape algal fouling from the rocks, and they will not miss the opportunity to use them in defense and attack, if it comes to expulsion of a potential invader from its territory. That is why it is impossible to recommend the combination of females engaged in the incubation of eggs in the mouth in small aquariums.

Aquariums and Malawian cichlids, modern aquarium design: on our website

ANNOTATION

In the early seventies, the world aquarium research owed its extraordinary enthusiasm and enthusiasm for cichlids to the emergence of the Malawian cichlids group Mbuna, which received this name from local fishermen. The inhabitants of the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, feeding mainly on algae, a lush carpet covering rocks and stone placers to a depth of 20 meters, were exceptionally bright in color, competing with coral fish.

Subsequently, many hundreds of other species of Malawian cichlids and their geographical races appeared among aquarium lovers. The amazing beauty and brightness of the Malawian cichlids, and provokes amateurs to create arrangements with living plants such as the so-called Dutch aquarium completely unlike natural biotopes.

Based on the author’s many years of practice, practical recommendations are given to minimize the problems of fish care, completely devoting himself to observing the unique intellectual habits of cichlids, be it just content for decorating the interior, their mating games, reproduction or caring for offspring.

Introduction

The first wave of fascination with Malawi cichlids swept the aquarium world only 30 to 40 years ago. Since the beginning of the 70s, Malawians appeared in our country. Their popularity among Russians does not decrease even now - more than 100 species of strong, beautifully colored fish with the most interesting, as with all cichlid behavior, inhabit our home reservoirs.

Lake Malawi, or as it was called before, Nyasa is located in the southernmost part of the African rift. - So, in scientific terms, they call a fault the earth's crustthanks to which the most deep lakes East Africa - Victoria, Tanganyika, Malawi, as well as the Siberian pearl of Russia - Lake Baikal.

According to the most recent data (June 2003, M.K. Oliver), there are 343 species of cichlids belonging to 56 genera that live in Lake Malawi. The vast majority of these fish are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else. Only 4-6 species of cichlids belonging to the genera - Astatotilapia, Oreochromis, Pseudocrenilabrus, Serranochromis, Tilapia (according to various authors) are also found in other African reservoirs. A few hundred more species are known to aquarium lovers and experts, but have not yet found their scientific description. Moreover, as new areas of the lake and its deep waters are explored, the latest species, subspecies and color forms of Malawian cichlids become known.

According to the characteristics of nutrition and lifestyle in nature, Malawian cichlids are usually divided into two large groups:

1. Mbuna - a group of cichlids that lives near rocky biotopes of the coastal part of the lake, near islands and underwater reefs. The basis of the natural diet of these fish are algae covering stones and rocks with a continuous carpet, as well as various aquatic organismshiding among these algae;

2. The cichlid complex originates from haplochromis and inhabits the most diverse biotopes of the lake, including underwater caves, sandy, overgrown with higher aquatic vegetation, as well as transition zones between rocks and sand. This also includes groups of Malawians under the names known to amateurs as "utak", "usip", etc.

Strictly speaking, the fossil ancestors of Mbuna are also haplochromis, but historically it has become such that the name given by the local fishermen in the Chitong language is so rooted in science and aquarium science that now they have begun to forget about it a little. It is the common ancestors for both groups that determine the characteristic method of reproduction of Malawian cichlids, in which the females incubate eggs and larvae in the mouth for three weeks. During this period of fish, females do without food and should not be provoked in an aquarium, tossing food in front of the nose. Carried away by food, hungry fish can spit out eggs or larvae, or even swallow them. Long-term experiments on breeding indicate that some females are not able to normally incubate eggs and quickly eat them. Therefore, in order to obtain offspring from such fish, it is necessary immediately after spawning to select eggs from females and incubate it artificially in incubators. The development of eggs, larvae and characteristic developmental defects are shown in the pictures. It is interesting to note that the size of eggs in different types also different. Moreover, it was possible to establish that the same females are able to throw eggs of various sizes depending on the diet, and the ratio of males and females in future offspring also largely depends on the conditions of keeping and feeding the fish in the aquarium. Frightened by the capture and transportation of fish, they sharply lose their brightness, which is almost natural for cichlids, so judging by their true color can only be judged by adult active specimens grown using vitamin-rich feed and in a calm environment. If stronger territorial fish live in the neighborhood, adolescents of Malawian cichlids may never reach the color characteristic of the species, and the only way to solve the problem is to separate the group of fish weakened by the constant stress of oppression separately. Here you can expect manifestations of normal color within a few days.

The apogee of the manifestation of the vital activity of fish and the associated development of secondary sexual characteristics - lengthening fins, increasing brightness and stabilizing color, developing a greasy pillow in the forehead in males, etc., is the multiple participation of fish in breeding. The cycles of choosing a mating partner, the possession and protection of the territory caused by this, the purification of the proposed place (or places) where spawning will take place, pre-spawning games with a demonstration of strength and beauty, spawning in itself and the complex of active actions determined by this, contribute to the development of coloring and , so to speak, the self-affirmation of males and females as true owners in the aquarium. The lover should not forget that the mbuna females, as well as the males, are territorial and armed with sharp grater teeth, allowing them to scrape algal fouling from the rocks, and they will not miss the opportunity to use them in defense and attack, if it comes to expulsion from its territory a potential invader. That is why it is impossible to recommend the combination of females engaged in the incubation of eggs in the mouth in small aquariums.

Aquarium device

All cichlids of the Great African Lakes, including Malawians, are very similar in terms of water properties and conditions in the aquarium. Weakly alkaline (pH 7.5 - 8.5), medium hardness or hard water with a temperature of 25-27 degrees, suits most species, however, there are also their own characteristic for the inhabitants of each lake and group of fish.

Regular water changes (the bigger the better!) Or advanced filtration and regeneration systems, including mechanical, biological and chemical filter elements (preferably using activated carbon), can minimize fish care problems by fully observing the unique intellectual tricks of your pets. Whether it’s just the maintenance of cichlids for beauty, their mating games, reproduction or caring for offspring. The author’s many years of practice, in terms of the aquarium content of cichlids of the Great African Lakes, has shown that adding 60-80 g of sea (in extreme cases, ordinary table salt) and 5-6 teaspoons of baking soda per 100 liters of water has a beneficial effect on fish . At the same time, a stable biological regime is established in the aquarium with a slightly alkaline reaction with pH water. It is desirable to maintain rigidity within 8-15 degrees and not to allow sharp jumps in hydrochemical parameters when changing water.

An aquarium for keeping adult Malawian cichlids should be as large as possible. The minimum size is 1 m with a capacity of at least 200 liters. Be sure to have a large number of shelters for fish, as well as a free area for swimming. As a rule, large stones and plastic imitations of caves are used for decoration. It is very important that the shelters are located along the entire height of the aquarium from the bottom to the very surface of the water, which allows to some extent to divide the territory and the "floors". If the size of the aquarium is minimal, shelters should be located along the entire back wall at a certain distance from it (usually 5-8 cm), allowing fish to maneuver freely, moving from the “floor” to the “floor”.

Coarse sand and several flat stones are laid at the bottom, which can be used by the inhabitants as spawning grounds. Fish love bright light and slightly alkaline water of medium hardness. Optimum temperature is 27 degrees. The properties of natural waters can be briefly characterized by high transparency (up to 17–20 meters), pH 7.7–8.6, and specific conductivity 210–235 microsimmens per centimeter, at a temperature of 20 degrees. Constantly working filter and powerful aeration of water are required. As mentioned above, the most important condition for well-being is a regular change of water - twice a week, 25% of the volume of the aquarium gives good results. Water for substitution is obtained by mixing hot and cold water from the tap, with the addition of a chlorine-neutralizing agent, such as “Chlorine - minus”, salt and baking soda. It is possible to keep the “ducks” in a Dutch aquarium slightly modified with several stones at the bottom, filled with numerous plants. Obviously, in this case, salt and soda additives are harmful (for aquatic plants). It should also be borne in mind that some types of cichlids are very partial to certain types of plants. For example, Livingston's nimbochromises and polystigmus with obvious pleasure (and in large quantities!) Eat Wallisneria. At the same time, it is possible to arrange an aquarium in such a way and choose communities of cichlids and living plants that it will simply be impossible to take your eyes off it.

Malawian aquarium with live plants

The amazing beauty and brightness of the Malawian cichlids, and provokes lovers to create aquarium arrangements completely unlike natural biotopes. Our German colleagues and Holland cichlid lovers were the first to succumb to this temptation. Following this, the cichlids of others took up the baton. european countries, including the countries of the former eastern bloc - Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia. The huge popularity of Malawian cichlids in Europe is precisely why, in my opinion, arose. It should be noted that overseas arrangement of an aquarium with cichlids, similar to the Dutch one, did not find a sufficient number of supporters. Even the most recent publications in American magazines (2000-2003) indicate a commitment to the traditional design of the aquarium with stones, snags and plastic crafts.

In Japan, developed countries South-East Asia and in Australia, I also have not noted a clear interest in the system of decorating cichlid aquariums with living aquatic plants. Of the cichlids in Takashi Amano’s natural aquariums, you can only see butterfly chromises and apistograms. The diversity of representatives of the underwater flora in African lakes is small and includes only a few species of plants belonging to the genera of potato (Potamogeton), Wallisneria and nymphaea. It is these plants that should decorate aquariums-bitopes (see the book "Aquarium. Device design and care"). African anubias plants often used by amateurs for decorating aquariums are not found in the natural biotopes of East African reservoirs, however, they are well suited for such reservoirs due to their longevity and hard leaves.

As you know, the main food of the cichlids of the Mbuna group is algae, lushly covering rocks and underwater placers of stones, as well as aquatic organisms that live in or near this underwater carpet. In other words, fish feed mainly on plant food, that is, plants. On the other hand, at depths of more than 20 meters, the amount of light is becoming less and less and, ultimately, it will be clearly insufficient for algae and, especially, higher aquatic vegetation. Therefore, in fish living at great depths, the proportion of plant food in the diet will be the less, the deeper they live in natural biotopes. Of particular interest in this sense are the inhabitants of underwater caves and grottoes. There, even at shallow depths of several meters, light for aquatic vegetation is clearly not enough.

How did you find out from the study of books and articles by E. Koenigs, G.-I. Gerrmann, A. Ribbinka, A. Shpreinat and others, from watching a series of videos, as well as personal conversations with the authors of underwater field observations, the most promising in this regard will be primarily representatives of the genera Aulonokara, Otofarinks, as well as plank-eating haplochromids (Utaka) among the cichlids of Lake Malawi.

In addition to the above features of the diet of cichlids, another problem becomes obvious - the problem of the suitability of the living conditions of aquatic plants in terms of water mineralization (especially its hardness) and pH.

It is known that water in the Great African Lakes is slightly alkaline - pH 7.6 - 9.0. It is desirable to create the same conditions in the aquarium. However, reference books on aquatic plants usually indicate that pH 7.5 is almost the upper limit of the active reaction for their normal growth. At higher pH values, it is very difficult to provide a sufficient level of carbon dioxide in the water necessary for the assimilation and growth of aquatic vegetation. According to this, it became clear that Malawian water is not very suitable for aquatic plants - so you need to teach fish ?? - Not at all. The experience of growing water plants in artesian water suggests that it is easier to accustom plants to such a hydrochemical regime.

In terms of lighting, usually there are no problems, since both fish and plants like bright daylight. Experience has shown that commercially available metal-halide lamps with natural color rendering are best suited for this. However, fish and plants will be quite comfortable with ordinary fluorescent tubes of daylight, if only the fish looked beautiful, and the plants had enough brightness. As practice shows, when creating a Malawian aquarium with living plants, it is only important to avoid characteristic errors.

Imagine that in a traditional Malawian aquarium with shelters of the same stones, you plant a twig of cinnema or hygrophile. What will happen? The answer is obvious - in the coming hours, or even minutes, they will simply eat it.

If you plant a “tasteless” cryptocarin, for example, Cr. pontederifolia or nymphaeum, they are unlikely to be eaten, but they will probably spoil it. They will gnaw through the leaves, taste the petioles ... Well, if you plant hard-leaved echinodorus, anubias? Most likely they will also spoil a little. - In some places they will gnaw at holes, in some places they will try to bite.

But then why in a tank with lush thickets of aquatic vegetation cichlids practically do not touch them? Unclear.

The situation seems hopeless, but what then to do? The simple answer is to teach fish not to touch plants. How to do this will be described below. Or maybe such plants are known that fish do not eat or spoil at all? Yes, there are, for example, some types of rotala (in more detail these and other plants will be described in the book "World of Aquatic Plants" being prepared for release).

More than once I had to observe the bewilderment of my new visitors - connoisseurs of aquatic plants. Disputes most often arose just in aquariums with Malawian and Tanganyika cichlids. Some said - reinforcing, others a new fern, third ulvaceus ... In fact, these were most often ordinary garden crops tied to a pebble - spinach, lettuce, celery in all their many varieties. The fact is that all newly arrived cichlids were thus accustomed to a plant diet. Experience shows that no matter how "good" the so-called balanced fish feeds are, they still lack some components in the daily diet. By satisfying their need for vitamins and minerals in this way, cichlids begin to pay little attention to most ornamental aquatic plants (they are not as rich in useful substances as, for example, spinach), and they spend all their energy on sorting out relationships with their counterparts. In this case, the color of the fish becomes truly irresistible. In secret, I’ll say that at first, due to a lack of vitamins in the diet, they also ate and spoiled the plants. After all, even on African aquarium farms, fish are fed with dry feed or their local substitutes for a long time before being sent. The basis of these substitutes is most often flour. There is no need to talk about vitamins and minerals here. If such fish are placed in an aquarium with living plants, then this vegetation is not well-bonded. If you do not have time to teach fish not to eat plants, you should be guided by the main rule - there should be many plants and they should be fully developed. Only in this case, the fish will not destroy them all at once, in addition, some inevitable losses in the foliage will not be so noticeable.

Planting small processes in the hope that they will grow over time is a waste of time and money. In the best case, only gnawed sticks will remain in the aquarium. From all the foregoing, the conclusion suggests itself - is it not the easiest way to introduce African cichlids to plants at a very young age? That's right. When breeding African cichlids, I do just that: I always place aquatic plants to fry from a very young age. Most often it is Javanese moss, hygrophil and fern ceratopteris. With good lighting, these plants not only serve as an excellent top dressing due to biological fouling and an abundance of soft young leaves, but, in addition, purify water from pollution, being a kind of living filter. True, Javanese moss has to be periodically (usually once a week) removed from the growth aquarium and washed, as there is a lot of dirt collected on it.

As the fry grow, they have to be transferred to larger aquariums, where I usually grow echinodorus, microzorium, vallisneria, ludwig and large species of hygrophiles. Years of experience have shown that hygrophil in aquariums with cichlids is a key plant. Pisces really like it, as it probably contains a lot of nutrients. At great variety species and forms of these plants, in addition, are a wonderful decoration of the aquarium. With a lack of nutrients in the water or substrate, these plants often lighten or yellow slightly, making them even more attractive.

Now consider the characteristic representatives of the Malawian cichlids from the two groups mentioned above, as well as the basic rules that allow you to keep these fish in the most favorable conditions.

The Mbuna group.

In the early seventies, the aquarium hobby owed the extraordinary enthusiasm and enthusiasm for cichlids to the emergence of the Malawian cichlids group Mbuna, which received this name from local fishermen. The inhabitants of the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, feeding mainly on algae, a lush carpet covering rocks and stone placers to a depth of 20 meters, were exceptionally bright in color, competing with coral fish. Representatives of the following genera turned out to be the most popular among Mbuna: cynotilapia - Cynotilapia Regan, 1921, iodotrophaeus - Iodotropheus Oliver et Loiselle, 1972, labeotrophheus - Labeotropheus Ahl, 1927, labidochromis - Labidochromis Trewavas, 1935 - melanoma melanoma Petrotilapia Trewavas, 1935 and Pseudotrophheus - Pseudotropheus Regan, 1921.

It should also be noted that in the modern literature an additional 2 genus cichlids of the mbuna group are represented - Maylandia Maylandia Meyer & Foerster, 1984 (a synonym is metriaclima Metriaclima Stauffer, Bowers, Kellogg & McKaye, (1997) and trophyops - Tropheops Trewavas, 1984. Both of these genera were originally proposed as subgenus belonging to the pseudotrophaeus group, each of which includes more than 50 species and variations of cichlids.

It turned out that by carefully selecting the communities of these vegetarian fish in size, color, temperament, you can create solid collections in one large aquarium, the device of which was described above. Instead of algae, lettuce, spinach, dandelion and even parsley, steamed oats and peas, black and white bread, etc. can serve as food. Small additives of animal feed - coronetre, daphnia, enchitrea and bloodworms, high-protein dry feed (up to 20-30% of the total) - supplement the diet. Fish in the aquarium grow larger than in nature, and give numerous offspring.

With improper feeding, when animal feed predominates in the diet, fish often develop a disease specific to Mbuna. It is expressed first in the appearance of long whitish excrement, which in the form of thick threads dangles for a long time at the anus. In the future, the fish seem to swell, refuse to feed, lie at the bottom and soon die. It helps to cure fish by dissolving metronidazole (aka trichopolum) in the water of an aquarium at the rate of one tablet of 0.25 grams per 50 liters of water. To do this, it is very convenient to take two tablets at once and rub them between your fingers at the surface of the water somewhere near the nebulizer so that the solution mixes better. Some fish come up and grab the falling particles of medicine, but it's not scary. Moreover, it was noted that the dissolution of Trichopolum even stimulates spawning in cichlids. The filter must be turned off and aeration enhanced. On the fifth day, 50% of the water is changed, adding the medicine from the same calculation. Metronidazole can be bought at a regular pharmacy. At the end of the treatment, the fish’s appetite is restored, but in order to avoid relapse, the cichlid should be transferred to a strict plant diet. A similar disease is noted for other lake cichlids and, of course, is caused by stress from inadequate feeding. As a prophylaxis of diseases, it is recommended to feed fish with metronidazole once a month at the rate of 0.7 g of medicine per 100 g of feed.

Labeotropheus Trueways - Labeotropheus trewavasae Fryer, 1956 - One of the first Malawian cichlids that fell into the aquariums of Russians. Under favorable conditions, fish grow up to 18-20 cm, while females are approximately 25% smaller. In nature, it is smaller, only rare males grow up to 13 - 14 cm.The habitat of Labotrophaeus in the lake is limited by the upper seven meters of rocky ridges, lushly growing algae, where they find places for feeding, shelter and grounds for spawning. Only occasionally individual individuals were observed at depths of up to 40 meters. Males are exceptionally beautiful - blue with bright orange to red dorsal fin. Females of the initial form are grayish-yellow with dark specks and spots, however, the variation with orange females is most popular. These fish can be distinguished already at a very young age - females are orange-yellow, males are dark brown-gray. They are very territorial, especially during the mating season and need a large aquarium, preferably at least 1.5 meters long. Spawning is better in the cave, as it is noted that the fertilization of eggs takes place outside the mouth of the female and the fertilized caviar remains unprotected for a longer time. Three weeks later, the females release fry in shallow water, where their further development and growth occurs in well-heated water. In conditions of aquarium cultivation at the age of 8 - 9 months, fish are already able to bear offspring.

Labeotropheus Fuelleborn - Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1927 very polymorphic and impressive looking. Depending on the habitat, individuals are found from dark blue to blue and from almost orange to bright yellow in black-brown spots of flowers. For the nasal outgrowth characteristic of the genus, the fish were also called tapir cichlids. Under favorable conditions, fish grow up to 18-20 cm, while females are approximately 25% smaller. The habitat of Labotrophaeus in nature is limited by the upper seven meters of rocky ridges, lushly growing algae, where they find places for feeding, shelter and grounds for spawning. They are very territorial, especially during the mating season and need a large aquarium, preferably at least 1.5 meters long. Spawning is better in the cave, as it is noted that the fertilization of eggs takes place outside the mouth of the female and the fertilized caviar remains unprotected for a longer time. Three weeks later, the females release fry in shallow water, where their further development and growth occurs in well-heated water. In conditions of aquarium cultivation at the age of 8 - 9 months, fish are already able to bear offspring.

Melanochromis auratus - Melanochromis auratus (Boulenger, 1897) - The most widespread species in Lake Malawi. It is found everywhere and does not have pronounced color variations, although individuals of a more intense color have been noted for the islands of Maleri, Mbenji and Mumbo. More than 10 cm do not grow in nature, although individuals exceeding this size by one and a half times in aquariums are far from rare. Along with labotrophaeus and zebra, auratus are pioneers of the Malawian boom around the world. The color of males and females is very different and resembles the negative and positive in photography. Active males are almost black with a creamy longitudinal strip extending along the body from head to tail. The dorsal fin and upper back are light yellowish in color with a bluish tint. Females, and especially fry, are very brightly colored. On a golden yellow background are two longitudinal black stripes. One is right in the middle of the body, the other is in the upper torso. Almost the same stripe on the dorsal fin. This strip runs through the center of the cream dorsal fin. Both juveniles and adults look very impressive and therefore these fish are constantly present in the aquarium market, despite their pronounced viciousness and territoriality. Fishes are omnivorous, however, when feeding, more attention should be paid to plant nutrition, since fish are prone to protein poisoning due to overeating food of animal origin. Several types of melanochromis are known that are very similar to auratus, especially at an early age, such as, for example, Chipok melanochromis (Melanochromis chipokae Johnson, 1975). The character of these fish is about the same aggressive.

Iodotrophheus - Iodotropheus sprengerae (Oliver & Loiselle, 1972). Small fish growing up to 6 - 10 cm in an aquarium are close in their habits and style to cynotylapia. Males are brown-violet, head and upper back are orange. Females are smaller, grayish brown. Very attractive fry of iodotrophaeus. When feeding artemia or spring red cyclops, they become a beautiful dark cherry color. Due to this feature, fish are of interest for commercial breeding and, therefore, they can be easily purchased from amateurs. Iodotrophaeus are very early maturing and sometimes begin to breed with sizes of only 3.5 - 4 cm. The offspring, which initially numbers only a few fry, can eventually reach 50 young fish. The fish are very fast and active and can be used for spawning almost any, even the smallest sites in the general Malawian aquarium. The iodotrophaeus that got into the culture of aquarium breeding take their original origin from the island of Boadzulu, where they are found at depths from 3 to 40 meters. Recently 2 more species of iodotrophaeus have been described.

Cynotilapia afra - Cynotilapia afra (Guenther, 1893). appeared in Moscow in the mid-eighties simultaneously with several color forms. The behavior of fish resembles a pseudotrophyus zebra. However, all kinds of planktonic organisms prevail in their diet. Males are more inclined to consume plant foods, since during the spawning period they are attached to small underwater caves, where spawning usually occurs, and they try not to get far from them, being content only with, for the most part, scraping algae from surrounding rocks and stones. Inactive males, juveniles, and females of cynotilapia often gather in large flocks and gradually migrate in the upper and middle parts of the underwater rocky biotopes, occasionally sailing into open waters. Near sandy biotopes and in the thickets of Wallisneria, they are quite rare. More than 10 color variations of cynotilapia are found in natural waters. Flitti's cytotrophy is rare in our aquariums. Cynotilapia fleetii Bakker & Franzen, 1978. According to the catalog of A. Ufermann and coauthors, the name of Flitty's cynotilapia is purely commercial in nature and does not have a real scientific description. By appearance Flatty's cynotilapia is indistinguishable from Psedotropheus greshakei, so that it is possible that this name will be correct. The males are bright blue with a purple hue. Their dorsal fin is orange-yellow, in some individuals it is bright orange. Females and fry are much more modestly colored, which greatly limited their popularity. The size in the aquarium is up to 15 cm, in nature it is almost twice smaller.

Petrotilapia - Petrotilapia tridentiger Trewavas, 1935 - one of the largest fish of the Mbuna group, reaching natural conditions length 17 cm. Widespread and quite numerous throughout the lake. The main difference between these fish is the presence on the jaws of a kind of grater in the form of numerous small trident teeth. The smallest rocky biotopes occupy petrotilapia lake, where algae grow rapidly, which form the basis of their nutrition. Males are painted in bluish-gray with a metallic sheen. Females are slightly smaller, brownish yellow. Narrow dark stripes across the body complement the color of both sexes. Petrotilapia fry are nondescript, therefore their content in the aquarium is the destiny of lovers and collectors of mbuna. There are 3 more species, as well as several subspecies and color variants of petrotilapia, but in all cases their fry and females are rather modestly colored and the prospects for their mass appearance in amateur aquariums are small. Nevertheless, in the Malawian aquarium, representatives of the genus petrotilapia undoubtedly attract attention and complement its originality, due to the unusual appearance of numerous small teeth with a reddish color. In addition, as mentioned above, these fish “scrape” stones and shelters, while being located at right angles to the substrate. The character of the petrotilapia cannot be called angelic, but they do not practice special aggressiveness and prolonged persecution of their victim. The content, reproduction and development of eggs and juveniles is the same as that of other representatives of mbuna.

Livingston Mayland -Maylandia (Pseudotropheus) livingstoni (Boulenger, 1899) - Widespread throughout Lake Malawi, as well as in Lake Malombe located not far from the south side. The main color of the fish is golden-sand - it allows them to camouflage themselves well on the sandy biotopes of the lakes, where they spend most of their lives at depths of 5 to 25 meters. Several populations of this species are known for their color and size. Males can reach 14 cm (even more in the aquarium). However, the natural form is known to the north of Monkey Bay, which is half the size. These fish were previously assigned to another species - Maylandia (Ps.) Lanisticola. Lanistikola was considered a shell pseudotrophyus, since fry and adolescents of these fish were often found in the shells of the gastropod mollusk Lanistes. However, subsequent underwater observations and a more detailed study showed that just the individuals not ready for spawning hide in the shells. They just use them as shelters. There, fry released by the females “for a walk” near the shells are probably taken. However, not a single case of a female incubating eggs in the mouth was found in the shell of a female. It is interesting to note that under natural conditions, these fish make certain migrations during the breeding season. Living most of the time on a sandy bottom and eating small invertebrates and bottom sediments of a plant nature there, during the spawning period, these fish come into transition zones of sand-rock, where spawning occurs. Apparently near rocky biotopes, fish feel more secure. However, females incubating eggs again float away onto sandy substrates, where, subsequently, fry are released.

Melanochromis Johanna - Melanochromis johanni (Eccles, 1973) one of the most popular Malawian cichlids, which stands out for its exceptionally beautiful - yellow-orange color of fry and females. Males with the onset of puberty completely change their color, becoming blue-black with two bright bluish-blue stripes along the body. Such a transformation for mbuna is not uncommon, which undoubtedly causes understandable bewilderment among novice cichlid lovers. However, at an early age it is rather difficult to distinguish between males and females. Ceteris paribus, males are slightly larger and have more pronounced yellow speck-releasing eggs, similar to eggs, on the anal fin. Size in nature does not exceed 8 cm, females are smaller.

Reproduction is the same as that of other Malawians. Females incubating eggs for three weeks in the mouth hide among stones in shallow water. The previously considered subspecies M. johanni with discontinuous longitudinal stripes, is currently described as an independent species, Mel. Interruptus Johnson, 1975.

The Pearl of Lycoma - Melanochromis joanjohnsonae (Johnson, 1974) - Previously, these fish were assigned to the genus Labidochrome. The species name also changed and these fish were known as M. textilis and M. exasperatus. They grow up to 9 cm, females are smaller. Bright, including all colors and overflows of mother-of-pearl and pearls, color is the basis for females and juveniles. It is very difficult to distinguish these females from the female labidochromeis L. flavigulus, L. maculicauda, \u200b\u200bL. strigosus and L. textilis. For adult active males, a bright blue color with sparkles is more characteristic. On the dorsal fin, a rather wide dark border is also characteristic of male labidochromis. In his book on cichlids and other fish of Lake Malawi, Ed Königs notes the increased aggressiveness of males of this species, which demonstrate their qualities all year round. Moreover, they occupy a large territory reaching 3 meters in diameter. Under natural conditions, fish feed on small invertebrates looking for them among algal fouling and in adjacent open waters. At first, these melanochromis were captured only on Likoma Island, but later they were settled on the western island of Tumbi, where they are now well-established and have become quite ordinary fish, near their new home. Content and reproduction, as in previous species. In an aquarium, excellent food for them, providing a constant brightness of color, is the cyclops and corvette, despite the fact that these fish are not too picky and eat everything.

Labidochromis Freiberga Labidochromis freibergi (Johnson, 1974) - This species of labidochromis, like iodotrophaeus, begins to breed at an early age. The mouth of the females is tiny and it is quite difficult to extract large eggs for artificial incubation. Unfortunately, due to the faded, unattractive color of juveniles, this species, like many other labidochromis, is extremely rare in our aquariums and only among collectors of Mbuna. Females of many species are practically indistinguishable from each other. But the males of labidochromis are completely unlike females and, often, very brightly colored.

Pseudotrophheus zebra - Pseudotropheus zebra (Boulenger, 1899) - One of the three types of Malawian cichlids that first appeared in Russia in 1973. It is characterized by amazing polymorphism. More than 50 natural color options are currently known. In modern literature, most of these variations are assigned to different species of the genus maylandia already mentioned above. The classical descriptions of zebra variations in the literature received the following generally accepted notation:

BB - (Black Bars) - striped zebra; corresponds to the traditional form of coloration in males with dark transverse stripes on a pale blue background (now Maylandia zebra);

B - (Blue) - blue form;

W - (White) - white form;

OB - (Orange Blotch) - yellow-orange form with black-brown spots;

RB - (Red - Blue) - an orange-red female and a blue male, the so-called red zebra;

RR - (Red - Red) is a red female and a red male, the so-called double red zebra (now Maylandia estherae (Konigs, 1995).

Other color variations Ps. zebra is called, indicating along with the designation of the area in the area where the capture was made. For example, a blue zebra from the island of Maleri (Ps. Zebra B Maleri Island); Chilumba striped zebra (Ps. sp. zebra BB Chilumba); Kawanga gold zebra (Ps. sp. ”zebra gold” Kawanga), etc. The belonging of various color variations and local forms to the described new species of maylandia has not yet finally settled down - a lot of aquarium and natural hybrids have appeared. In addition, the color of the fish to a large extent depends on their age and condition. So, for example, fry of the classical striped zebra have a monochromatic grayish-brown color, which only at the age of 6-7 months begins to turn into striped in males and spotted in females; the fry of the red zebra RB are brightly colored already at a young age, while the females are orange-red, and the males look dark gray and only at sexually mature age become pale blue.

Pseudotrophyus M6 - Pseudotropheus spec. “M6” appeared among us among the first Malawians in the mid-seventies. Then many types of cichlids were not described and ended up in our aquariums with alphanumeric indices. M6 clearly belong to the group of one of the most beautiful species of pseudotrophaeus - Ps. elongatus Fryer, 1956. Despite the very attractive color and unique elongated shape, the real elongatus did not take root in our aquariums due to the excessive aggressiveness and nondescript coloring of juveniles. The huge variability of the elongatus in Malawi (more than 25 color options) still led to the fact that some species or subspecies found their place in our place. So, for example, the M6 \u200b\u200brepresented by Koenigs, as a variant of the elongatus from Boazulu Island - Ps. sp. “Elongatus Boadzulu” turned out to be not as vicious as a real elongatus. However, at the same time, the M6 \u200b\u200bis more tall and, therefore, does not look as unique as the classic look. But their calmer character did its job and the M6 \u200b\u200bdoesn’t - no, but it is found among cichlids. In nature, M6 rarely grows to 8 cm, females are even a quarter smaller. But in the aquarium, on protein feed and in a calm environment, these fish grow almost 2 times larger. Keeping and breeding with some experience is not a problem.

Trophaeops - Tropheops (Pseudotropheus) tropheops Regan, 1922 - found in the lake near rocky biotopes almost everywhere. The natural size does not exceed 14 cm. In aquariums, it is often somewhat larger. Like the previous species, trophyops are surprisingly varied. Currently, no less than 30 local forms and variations are known. The colors and their combinations reflect almost all the colors characteristic of mbuna - from bright yellow with an orange tint to dark blue, almost black. Two-three-color coloring is not uncommon. In addition, the ornament includes all kinds of specks and stripes. Males are larger than females and, as a rule, brighter, colored more colorful. All species and variations of the trophyops genus (6 species) are recognized as typical representatives of rock cichlids of the Mbuna group. The basis of their nutrition in nature is almost exclusively composed of algal fouling and small planktonic organisms found among algae.

Group “Utaka” and close views.

The group of Malawian cichlids, inhabiting mainly coastal biotopes, as well as the underwater reefs “Chirundu,” which do not reach the surface of the water and feed on zooplankton, is called the local “Utaka” fishermen. Previously, all these species were attributed to the genus Haplochromis - Haplochromis Hilgendorf, 1888, but revisions of recent decades have made significant adjustments. Many species were discovered and described during the cichlid boom of the seventies and eighties. However, to date, Malawian novelties regularly appear among cichlidophiles around the world. In aquariums, you can create large collections by placing other similar species of cichlids, similar in temperament, with the representatives of the duck group, whose diet is based on small aquatic invertebrates and fish fry. In his home collection, in a more than modest apartment, the author managed to collect up to 50 species of these cichlids in the early 80s. Among all the tropical diversity in our aquariums, there are representatives of the following genera: Aristochromis - Aristochromis Trewavas, 1935 (only 1 species); Astatotilapia - Astatotilapia (Guenther, 1894) (1 non-endemic species); Aulonocara - Aulonocara Regan, 1922 (21 species and many color variations); Bakkochromis - Buccochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (7 species); Champsochromis - Champsochromis Boulenger, 1915 (2 species); Copadichromis - Copadichromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (27 described species and many local forms); Tsirtokara - Cyrtocara Boulenger, 1902, only 1 species is a blue dolphin); Dimidiochromis - Dimidiochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (4 species with color variations); Fossorochromis - Fossorochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (monotypic genus); Letrinops - Lethrinops Regan, 1922 (26 species); Milochromis - Mylochromis Regan, 1922 (18 species very similar to each other); Nimbochromis - Nimbochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (7 species); Otofarinx - Otopharynx Regan, 1920 (13 species); Placidochromis - Placidochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (8 species); Protomelas - Protomelas Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (16 very varied species); Scienochromis - Sciaenochromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989 (6 species of which 2 are sometimes referred to the genus milochromis). The above fish, as a rule, are completely unsuitable for joint maintenance by representatives of another Malawian group - Mbuna, which are distinguished by increased territoriality and, as a result, aggressiveness and are significantly more disposed to a vegetarian diet.

Aulonocara Jacob Freiberga Aulonocara jacobfreibergi (Jonson, 1974) previously belonged to the genus Trematocranus - Trematocranus Trewavas, 1935. Among the first Malawian cichlids were brought by the author in 1976 under the name Trematocranus auditor and were the beginning of a craze for cichlids in those years. Size up to 13 cm in nature, but, like most Malawians in the aquarium, grow much larger. Females are significantly (sometimes almost twice) smaller. Unfortunately, both females and fry of all aulonocars are very modestly grayish with metallic tones, which limits the commercial value of these fish, despite the exceptionally attractive color of adult males. - Few lovers are there to wait almost a year until these ugly ducklings turn into beautiful swans.

Natural habitats are rocky biotopes in which spawning males occupy small underwater caves. Fishes form many local races, markedly different from each other, along the entire length of the lake from south to north. Like all aulonocars, a way of getting food is very interesting - fish, obeying underwater currents, as if soar almost without movement, above the surface covered with sandy sediments, immediately rushing down, with the slightest stirring in the sand. Feeding in captivity does not present any problems - the fish are omnivores and with the same pleasure eat almost any kind of live, dry and cooked food. As with all cichlids of the Great African Lakes, feeding the fish with a tubule should be avoided to prevent disease.

Queen Nyassa - Aulonocara nyassae Regan, 1922- got its name for the majesty of movements, behavior and the wonderful color of males with a characteristic red spot located directly behind the gill covers. Females and fry, like all other representatives of the genus, are very modestly colored. However, according to modern information, fish under this name have never been exported, and the fish described above most likely belongs to another species - A. hueseri Meyer, Riehl et Zetsche, 1987. However, no one in Russia was engaged in strict scientific identification.

The Golden Queen - Aulonocara baenschi Meyer & Riel, 1985 got its name after the first imported aulonocara, which appeared among German aquarists in the early 70s, as Queen Nyassa (Kaiserbuntbarsch). Zaokensky cichlid lovers call these fish peacocks (Peacock Cichlid), which reflects the brightness of the color of the aulonocars and the characteristic movements of the tail and fins, like a peer or fan opening in the process of mating or rivalry. Unlike the previous species, this species is known only for one large reef, located at a depth of about 18 meters, 5 kilometers from the village of Benga, opposite the Nkomo River ( southern part lakes). The natural size of the fish does not exceed 9 cm, in the aquarium they are noticeably larger. Spawning occurs year-round, both in nature and in the aquarium. Females incubate caviar in the mouth for 3 weeks at a temperature of 27 degrees.

Aulonocara stuartgranti Meyer & Riehl, 1985 (Stuart Grant) - found at the northwestern part of the lake in transition zones of rocky and sandy biotopes. The name is given to these aulonokars in honor of the English businessman-aquarist Stuart Grant, who settled in Africa, acquired land on the lake from the government of Malawi and built a station for the collection, overexposure and export of Malawian cichlids. In addition to fishing at Stuart Grant Station, breeding is underway rare species and forms of cichlids as well as being scientific research and the study of the flora and fauna of the lake. A small hotel on the territory of the station is able to host groups of aquarium fanatics who want to see with their own eyes all this unique underwater diversity.

Aulonokaras are very careful and timid, hiding between rocks and stones at the slightest carelessness of an underwater observer. They feed on sandy soils looking for small bottom invertebrates. Males ready for spawning are most often found directly in front of rocks or in the front rows of stones. Spawning occurs in small caves. Then the females, incubating eggs, hide between the stones. After spawning, females form small groups that are located between the territorial zones of males.

Aulonocara Maleri (Aulonocara sp. “Maleri”) among lovers of the whole world has several names - yellow peacock, sunny peacock or orange aulonokara. In addition, this species of fish was classified as the geographical race of Bensch aulonocars (A. baenschi). The names speak for themselves and it seems to me that there is no need to describe the coloring in detail.

Fish are common on the islands of Maleri, Chidunga, Namalenji and others in the southern part of the lake. Males from the island of Maleri are small - up to 9.5 cm. Giants from the island of Namalenji can reach 13 cm, but they form a very small natural population. Females are grayish, characteristic of all aulonocars, 2-3 cm smaller than males.

In aquariums, the most common is the small form from the islands of Maleri, which is often called by its double name - the aulonocara Maleri Maleri. Accordingly, the form from the island of Namalenji will be called aulonokara Maleri Namalenji. Inhabiting rocky and transitional biotopes like Mbuna, these aulonocars feed mainly on benthic organisms of animal origin. They breed in small caves made of stones, which are protected by males in bright spawning colors. Local fishers just find these fish, having seen bright, like sun glare, overflows of spawning males. The pink aulonocara that appeared in last years as a result of long breeding work, aquarists very much resemble all yellow-pink aulonocars, but the female is almost as colored as the male, but somewhat dimmer.

Aulonocara Mayland - Aulonocara maylandi Trewavas, 1984 - These fish are distinguished by a bright yellow band passing in mature males in the upper part of the head from the tip of the snout to the base of the dorsal fin. In good males, this bright strip passes to the dorsal fin.

Currently, at least 20 species and color variations of aulonocars, which are easily crossed among themselves, are offered to aquaiumists. For this reason, each species of these fish is recommended to be kept in a separate aquarium, which makes it difficult to create their collections. Malkov from various kinds Aulonocar should also not be mixed in the same body of water, since they are very difficult to distinguish. The same applies to adult females.

Haplochromis Borle - Copadichromis borleyi (Iles, 1966) - It is widely recognized as one of the most attractive Malawian cichlids. Originally found near the islands of Likoma and Chizumulu, Borl's haplochromis has several color variations, of which we most often have red Cadango caught at the so-called Crocodile Rocks. Pisces are distinguished by the orange-red color of the body of the males behind the gill covers. In males, outside the spawning activity period, 3 rounded dark spots on the body are clearly visible, which are located diagonally starting from the caudal stem. The fry are also quite attractive - their orange fins contrast perfectly with the silver body. Males grow to a size of about 15 cm, females are smaller. The color of the females is much like the color of the young. In nature, fish adhere to rocky biotopes at depths of at least 12 - 15 meters. At the same time, plankton makes up their food oson. Males during the spawning period are very territorial and zealously guard the chosen site somewhere under an overhanging rock. Often they build a kind of nest, clearing the place of sand and organic residues that have settled on the stones. Cases of spawning have been noted. In this case, the spawning process itself can occur in the “upside down” position.

Nimbochromis polystigma - Nimbochromis polystigma Regan, 1922 - characterized by numerous small spots, which can vary in color from dark brown to brownish-orange, depending on the local race. Moreover, the males in the mating outfit become monophonic and are painted in blue-green with a purple tint. In nature, fish grow to 23 cm in an aquarium, usually slightly smaller. Males are larger than females. Natural habitats for polystigm include thickets of Walesneria, however, during the moments of hunting they do not limit themselves to anything and, pursuing prey, swim to the same extent on stones and sand biotopes. Underwater observations also note a method of luring fish juveniles similar to that described below for Livingston's nimbochromis. Fish can hunt both individually and in packs. Flock hunting often occurs in thickets of aquatic plants. At the same time, the flock “combes” its possessions site after site eating up all the fish trifle that comes across in their way. In an aquarium, almost everything is polystigmically eaten perfectly so that they are not offered. Similarly to the previous species, to normalize the digestion in their diet, you need vallisneria or other plant foods. Sometimes, only by transferring fish that are obese in the aquarium to a strict plant diet (90% plant food and 10% animal) can their ability to reproduce be restored. This usually takes 1 to 2 months. All this applies to other Malawian cichlids. For Mbuna, the diet can be even more rigorous and include almost 100% of the plant component.

Cichlid - dormouse or nimbochromis (formerly haplochromis) of Livingston Nimbochromis livingstoni (Guenther, 1893) It is one of the popular aquarium cichlids due to the attractive color of fry and adult fish. The natural diet consists of small fish, which they attract, depicting dead semi-decomposed fish lying on the bottom without movement. A curious juvenile caught within reach is instantly grabbed and swallowed by them. Like the previous species, N. livingstoni is a characteristic inhabitant of the lake, the color of which does not allow it to be confused with any other species. Reproduction and keeping in the aquarium is typical of other members of the group.

Nimbochromis fuscoteniatus (Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus (Regan, 1922) regarding the new kind in our aquariums. Males in mating color are very similar to other types of nimbochromis - polystigmus, Livingston, Linney. However, their color is more orange-red. In a calm state, fish spots and bands of a characteristic species are clearly visible, which make it easy to distinguish between pure, not mixed by hybridization species. The female nimbochromis of fuscoteniatus is easily distinguished from other types of nimbochromis, due to the continuous longitudinal strip in the middle of the body. Protomelas phenochilus (Protomelas phenochilus (Trewavas, 1935)) is one of the most beautiful species of Malawians. The bright blue basic coloring of adult males is decorated with spots of frosted silver of the most diverse shapes. With age, this silver becomes more and more, fish become simply irresistible. Females are much more modest in color and, like juveniles, resemble “haplochromis” electra (now - Placidochromis electra). Like the blue dolphins (Cyrtocara moorii), phenochilus, similar in shape to them, feed on the remnants “from the table” of large letrinops cichlids (Letrinops praeorbitalis) constantly digging sand. Accompanying the letrinops everywhere, they manage to pick up edible parts among the turbidity raised by these fish. According to observations in the aquarium, neither small nor large phenochilus have "bad" habits and, with good nutrition, do not pay attention to aquatic vegetation

Placidochromis electra - Placidochromis electra (Burgess, 1979) - It is also called deep-sea haplochromis, since most fish are easiest to find at depths below 15 meters off Likoma Island. However, recently several more local populations have been discovered. Fish are mainly found on sandy soils and are painted in light blue. In conditions of deep sea lighting, their color is an excellent disguise. Characteristic for the species is the presence of a clearly visible dark strip behind the gill covers. There are no other species with similar coloration in Lake Malawi. Males are brighter, larger and grow up to 17 cm in natural conditions. The basis of their nutrition is various small invertebrates and algae. Like blue dolphins, they often accompany large letrinoids digging in the ground, picking up what is possible behind them. When choosing spawning grounds, males are not too picky, therefore spawning can occur both in sand and on a rocky substrate

Aristochromis - Aristochromis christyi Trwavas, 1935 - One of the largest species of Malawian cichlids presented in our aquariums. Males grow slightly larger than 30 cm, females are smaller. Only about the same size reach - Fossorochromis rostratus. Aristochromis are the real predators. At home, they are found in transitional biotopes between rocks and a sandy-silty bottom and feed on small fish, often representatives of Mbuna and their young. Observations in the aquarium show that these predators are able to capture and tear up fish up to 10 cm in size.The unique outlines of the aristochromis, their characteristic color with an oblique stripe attract the attention of aquarists despite the habits of obvious predators constantly engaged in tracking and stalking prey. Unlike Mbuna, aristochromis have certain breeding seasons. During these periods, males become completely blue with a greenish tint. In this case, the strip completely disappears. Males in this color do not engage in hunting, and their main goal is to attract sexually mature females and spawning. Spawning occurs among the rocks. Spawning females usually hide in caves, where subsequently they release young. Care for the fry continues by the female for about a month. Due to the large size, the reproduction of aristochromis in the aquarium is not yet sufficiently developed. Species that are close in appearance and hunting style to them belong to the genera Exochochromis and Champsochromis, which are extremely rare in aquarists. The cichlids that appeared under the name Red-Top Aristochromis actually belong to the genus Otofarinx.

Protomelas teniolatus - Protomelas taeniolatus (Trewavas, 1935) - belongs to the Utaka group - haplochromide feeding on plankton in open waters. Most often, these fish are found in shallow water. Males grow up to 16 cm, females are smaller. The coloring of the sexes is very different for females, as are the young ones, silvery with a longitudinal dark stripe, and males are distinguished by a bright, multi-color color with numerous blue-green sparkles on a cherry background of the body. In addition to size, males look more powerful. Judging by the fact that the fry of these fish are found in the lake at the end of November, they have a more or less pronounced seasonal nature of reproduction (in late autumn). Spawning occurs on a sandy substrate, where males dig a kind of nest. In an aquarium, no seasonality was noted. It is also variable and is found in the rocky biotopes of the lake at a depth of not more than 10 meters.

This was first introduced by the author in the seventies under the name boazulu. In those days, this name was used to export several species of haplochromides that vary greatly in color - H. steveni, H. fenestratus, H. hinderi, etc. The real boadzulu did not get into the aquariums of cichlid lovers, judging by the available information. Locals everywhere catch representatives of the Utak group and eat them, after drying in the hot African sun.

Cornflower haplochromis - Sciaenochromis ahli (Trewavas, 1935) known to us as haplochromis Jackson. Males of surprisingly bright cornflower blue color reach 20 cm in length and feed on fry of other Malawian cichlids, as well as young catfish hiding between the rocks. Females are smaller and, like fry, show a protective color. With the exception of the breeding season, fish are not territorial and therefore it is possible to contain many brightly colored males in one aquarium together with other species of duck and some mbuna (see photo on page 2 cover). Males of northern populations have more yellow-orange pigment especially in the color of the anal fin. The brightness of the blue color, amazing for the living world, is retained by adult males throughout life, noticeably intensifying during moments of irritation, aggression and spawning activity. Like other Malawians, spawning without any pronounced seasonality, females incubate eggs in their mouth for three weeks.

The cornflower blue “haplochromis” was assigned to the genus Scienochromis (Sciaenochromis), of which it is still present. However, in addition to the name Sciaenochromis ahli, fish exclusively similar to the cornflower "haplochromis" began to be called S. fryeri. So long was the renaming chain. The natural diet of cornflower “haplochromis” consists mainly of fry of mbuna, which are found between stones all year round, as well as in winter monthsDespite the vigilant guard of producers, they manage to “steal” fry from the nests of flat-headed catfish Bagrus meridionalis. The spawning season for these catfish, called locals "campango", usually lasts from November to February.

Cichlid - knife or compressiceps - Dimidiochromis compressiceps (Boulenger, 1908) one of the small predators, unusual in form and interesting in behavior. In early works on the ichthyology of these fish, they were described as the most unique representatives of Lake Malawi, specializing in feeding the eyes of other species of cichlids. In fact, everything is not so scary - German lovers considered these small fish hunters to be ideal fish for guppy breeders. The feeding of compressiceps to substandard fish rejected by the breeder guarantees the normal development of the cichlid - knife. Hunting for fry is very peculiar - fish swim their heads down. Reproduction of compressiceps occurs, as in other Malawian cichlids. Among the genus Dimidiochromis, another species is found in our aquariums - Dimidiochromis strigatus (Regan, 1922). Known, but so far very rare in us is the red form of compression.

Such shores are the best place for photographing the inhabitants of littoral, because they differ in the richest variety of living forms, and, in addition, in this case there are no problems characteristic of photography on silty and sandy shores. The best time to visit the rocky shores is spring, since then the low coast is open at low tide and the photographer is given a rare opportunity to see and photograph the usually hidden life of the sea.

The most interesting thing for the photographer on the rocky shores is in the bays. On the rocky shores of these natural aquariums, you can usually find a rich set of living forms. Masses of brown algae, such as vesicular fucus (Fucus vesiculosus) and serratus fucus (Fucus serratus), can cover large boulders that open at low tide. These large algae are best taken under natural light, as a flash usually causes unwanted intense light flare. Seaweed, which becomes available for shooting at low tide, is best photographed on a bright sunny day with an almost cloudless sky. You can use a tripod to get maximum depth of field at slow shutter speeds and small apertures. The presence of algae often indicates a change in plant associations offshore. Using a wide-angle lens, one can demonstrate how some species replace others as they approach the shore. It would be nice, showing a continuous cover of plants on the rocks, to give a close-up of their interesting details, for example, air bubbles on certain fuchsian ones.

On most rocky shores, you can find a huge number of sea ducks, "encrusting" the rocks, as well as mollusks, such as saucer (Patella spp) and litorina (Littorina spp). They can be photographed in a group, as well as alone close-up. For photographing organisms having a shell, natural lighting is best suited, as it emphasizes the furrow and overall relief of the shell. To be able to take advantage of sunlight, you must select objects that are in open places. If necessary, you can mount a tripod. Since some mollusks prefer shady spots, a flash may be needed. The shaded sides of boulders or rock ledges often provide shelter for fouling animals, such as sponges.

Rocky shores are also rich in certain types of crabs. In areas of temperate climate, they are quite small, rarely found and you need to look for them in crevices of rocks or under boulders and large algae. In the tropics, the situation is completely different. In Kenya, as night falls, coral rocks are covered with many striped crabs; in the growing darkness, the rustling of the legs of crabs moving through the rocks is clearly audible.

During the day, thousands of these crabs can be seen under the ledges of the cliffs. The author received several photographs using a zoom lens and flash, and even a number of close-ups at a distance of several centimeters, photographing with a 55 mm lens.

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At low tide, wide horizontal stripes can be seen on coastal stones and rocks. different color. They are formed by communities of living organisms. Lichens live in the upper supralittoral zone, which is moistened only by wave surges, and blue-green algae usually settle near the level of full water. Among the few animals that live in this zone, some species of terrestrial insects and air-breathing litorin, or coastal snails.

Below is the littoral or tidal zone, which is now exposed, then covered with water. The most characteristic crustaceans for it are sea acorns, which form a white strip on the stones, consisting of their shells. And the most common plant - Fucus, bushy branched ribbon-like algae.

The most densely populated sublittoral zone, where the stones are exposed only at full low tide. In the dense thickets of kelp and other algae, many animals hide, including starfish, sea \u200b\u200burchins and crustaceans. Behind this zone begins the kingdom of fish and other inhabitants of the open sea.

Life in the surf

One of the main problems that animals face here is the waves, continuously breaking on a rocky shore. There are two common ways to survive in such conditions: hide from the waves or hold on to the rocks as tight as possible. Many animals take refuge under stones or in crevices. Some sea urchins are fixed in the cracks between the stones with the help of their needles. Bivalve mollusks - petricols - and worms even drill holes in calcareous rocks and soft clay.

However, most inhabitants of the surf simply cling to the rocks. Seaweed is held tight by root-shaped processes. Sea acorns attach to stones, highlighting a special secret that firmly glues them to a variety of substrates. Mussels use a system of tiny cords. Ascidia, sponges and sea anemones also belong to numerous sedentary animals, permanently attached to one place. Saucers, snails and other moles are held on the stones with their feet, acting like a suction cup.

Mussels

Mussels live both in the middle and in the lowest zones, often forming large clusters - mussel banks. Each individual animal is attached to the surface of stones or underwater rocks with the help of many strong threads, consisting of a secret secreted by the byssus gland, which is located in the fleshy leg of the mussel. Upon contact with water, the secret hardens. As a result, thin fibers are formed - byssus threads, they surprisingly firmly attach the mollusk to the stone.

Closely pressed against each other on banks, including on artificial ones, mussels cannot change their position and all the time remain in one place. But a single mussel is still capable of stretching its leg and straining enough to break the strings, move to a new place and reattach there.

What happens during low tide?

Most of the fish and other animals that are able to move independently, at low tide, they simply move some distance from the coast, some of the inhabitants of the surf zone find a temporary refuge in the water lingering in the hollows. Other animals await this short period in moist crevices where they are protected from direct sunlight. Many, to protect themselves from drying out, hide in water-soaked weaves of algae.

Mussels and sea acorns permanently attached to one place cannot hide. During low tide, they tightly close their sinks, inside which a little water remains, which allows them to avoid drying out. Similar tactics are used by saucers. During high tide, these mollusks actively feed, scraping algae from the rocks with their rough, emery tongues. At low tide, they each return to their place - into a small depression they made in stone. Having plunged into this hole and clinging to its bottom with a muscular leg, they expect the next rush.

Sea stars

Despite its English name - “star fish”, starfish, of course, are not fish. They belong to the type of echinoderms, to which the sea urchins belong. Starfish do not swim, but crawl on hundreds of flexible tubular legs that protrude from the grooves on the underside of their rays and end with suction cups. With the help of these legs, starfish attach to the stones, and some species even open mollusk shells with them. A typical starfish has five rays, but in some species their number reaches forty. If one of the rays breaks off, the star will not die, moreover, soon a new one will grow in place of the lost ray. Even more surprising is that if a ray comes off together with a sufficiently large portion of the central part of the star’s body, then over time a full-fledged starfish is obtained from this ray.

Black Sea, rocky coast: right from the edge of the water, dense thickets of cystozira brown seaweed begin. The branches of its huge - up to one and a half meters in height - bushes - stretch to the surface with special bags filled with air. Bearded cystosiraCystoseira barbata - the main macrophyte algae of the Black Sea coast, a landscape-forming species. Epiphytic algae grow on its branches, fouling animals settle - sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, mollusks, polychaetes sedentary worms; small snails and crustaceans feed on the dying cells of its bark, fish nests hide and twist among its branches, and a marble crab and a crab mask under its colorinvisibility Macropodia longirostris, and numerous coastal fish Black Sea, and a snail of tricolium - everyone who lives in this underwater jungle, stretching along the rocky bottom of the Black Sea from the surface of the water near the shore to a depth of 10-15 meters.

Greenfinch above the cystozira forest

The greenfinch male, having fertilized the clutch, protects it - drives away other fish from the entrance, ventilates the nest with a wave of pectoral fins. Such paternal care for offspring is a feature of most local fish -dog-fish and gobies whose masonry can be found under stones and large empty shells also behave the same way.

Greenfinchs eat, gnawing from the branches of algae and the surface of the stones, the crusts of fouling animals - mollusks, worms, sea acorns. To do this, their fangs are pushed forward, and the mouth turns into solid forceps-tweezers to clean the underwater rocks - with their help they pull out the crabs and shrimps hidden in the cracks, crumble the shells of the mollusks and the tubes of the worms. Greenfinch live to the lowest boundary of rocky soil - 25-40m.

Graceful prawns of shrimp live in the cystozira crowns Palaemon eleganssmall snails creep along the branches - tricolias, bittiums - and many other animal species that feed on dying bark cells and periphyton on the branches of the host alga. There are also small predators here - for example, the polychaete worm Nefis Nephthys hombergii. The crown of each large algae is a whole world, a community adapted to life together animals, epiphytic macroalgae and masses of microscopic organisms: these are bacteria, unicellular algae of periphyton (mainly diatoms), amoeba and ciliates; small crustaceans - sea \u200b\u200bgoats and other amphipods; isopods crayfish - idothea sea cockroaches Idothea sp., harpacticides, balyanus larvae and others.

Flocks of mullet swiftly sweep at a shallow depth, above the very crowns of algae - these are large fish with silver scales. During seasonal migrations along the coast of the Caucasus and Crimea (in spring - for feeding in estuaries, Azov, estuariesin autumn - for wintering under the Caucasian, Crimean, Anatolian shores) they move in huge masses - hundreds of fish in one school. That is why in April-May and in October we most often see dolphins off the coast - they pursue shoals of mullet. In the Black Sea, several species of mullet live, but on the coast we are most often found mullet single Lisa aurata - not the largest - up to 30 cm, the appearance of these fish, which is easy to identify by the orange spot on the "cheek" - gill cover. Mullet is a great swimmer, but it finds food at the bottom - it simply eats silt and even sand, raking the ground with its lower jaw, like a shovel. What is edible will be digested and assimilated, and everything else will pass through the fish, and again will be at the bottom. Fish that eat this way are called soil eaters, or detritophages. Since an unlimited amount of detritus is formed in the Black Sea, the food supply of mullet is inexhaustible. All types of mullet are able to live in sea and fresh water (euryhaline fish), which gives them a huge advantage - juvenile mullet is kept in estuaries and in shallow waters near the shore, where they are not threatened by marine predatory fish - bluefish, horse mackerel, garfish; they walk in estuaries and estuaries rich in nutrient silt, where the differences in salinity are very large; mullet winters at a depth of more than 50 m under the steep shores of the Black Sea - in the most stable conditions.

Mullet singil Lisa aurata Other species of mullet in the Black Sea: which has become small pointy Mugil saliens; larger mullet loban Mugil cephalus, widely distributed along coastal areas around the world. Very successfully propagated in the Black Sea estuaries and Azov, introduced by Soviet ichthyologists to the Black Sea in the 1980s, a large Far Eastern mullet pilengas Mugil sojui. In recent years, Pilengas in the Black Sea is the main fishing target from the coast - especially during its spring migration. Pilengas spring course near the beach VDC Orlenok, depth 1-2m. The dark mass of hundreds of 30-50-centimeter fish is visible from the shore.

Flora and black Sea underwater cliffs - 40 meters down