Maylandia sp. "Mdoka Long Pelvic"

Cichlidae

Rocky shores of Lake Malawi

Maylandia: in honour of Hans J. Mayland

Adult male size up to 15 cm (in captivity); females are always smaller

Dominant males are orange with light blue verticle stripes.

Very easy: females are always drab brown, males are orange with light blue verticle stripes and yellow tipped fins.

Mdoka, north-western coast of Lake Malawi

7.5 - 8.2

24^oC-29^oC

water hardness: 4-6 GH, kh > 10

Herbivore. Green flake or, even better, Spirulina flakes or pellets and granular food. Sometimes I use also protein based food, especially during the breeding period.

Very aggressive with conspecifics. Do not include other species in the aquarium if at all possible.

That very much depends on the size of the tank. In my experience in a 400 lit tank it this fish will coexist with other mbunas like "yellow labs" (Labidochromis caeruleus). If the fish shares with other species it is important to aquascape the tank carefully. Use rocks and wood to provide several shelters and escape routes to allow tankmates to avoid aggressive behaviour. Shelters will also be used by females and subdominant males wishing to avoid the dominant male.

Larger than 200 lt; a male with 2-3 females will possibly be comfortable in a 200 lit tank. The specimens in the photos are in a 400 lt tank.

Dominant males have a strong solitary and territorial behaviour, accentuated during mating. The fish is very aggressive: males often fight each other and jawlock.

This fish needs a lot of free space for swimming as it is a keen swimmer and a fast mover. It does not like bright light and colourful environments. Using dark sand and rocks in aquascaping results in more relaxed and colourful fish. 

1 male for 2-3 females. Different males must be kept only in large and well separated aquaria.