Mbuna is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi, and are members of the haplochromine family. The name mbuna means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi. As the name implies, most mbuna are cichlids that live among the piles of rocks and along the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, as opposed to the utaka, cichlids that live in the open water or on sandy shores or soft substrates. Some species of mbuna are highly sexually dimorphic, although many are not. Among biologists, almost all of the cichlid species of Lake Malawi, including mbuna and non mbuna such as the utaka, are believed to have descended from one or a very few species that became isolated in the lake. With rising water levels, new habitats could be colonized and the many isolated rocky outcrops allowed new mbuna species to form. Their striking colors, intriguing behavioral characteristics, and relative hardiness make them very popular despite their unique demands for the home aquarist.
Maylandia or Metriaclima is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. They belong to the mbuna (rock-dwelling) haplochromines.
Melanochromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. Ecologically, they belong to the rock-dwelling mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi.
Dr. Ethelwynn Trewavas was an ichthyologist at the British Museum of Natural History. She was known for her work on the families Cichlidae and Sciaenidae. She worked with Charles Tate Regan, another ichthyologist and taxonomist.
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.
Corematodus is a small genus of haplochromine cichlids native to the Lake Malawi basin in Africa. They feed on scales and fins of other cichlids.
Otopharynx is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa.
The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus (Haplochromis) plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern, southern and northern Africa, except for Astatotilapia flaviijosephi in the Middle East. A common name in a scientific context is East African cichlids – while they are not restricted to that region, they are the dominant Cichlidae there. This tribe was extensively studied by Ethelwynn Trewavas, who made major reviews in 1935 and 1989, at the beginning and at the end of her career in ichthyology. Even today, numerous new species are being described each year.
Diplotaxodon is a small genus of seven formally described, as well as a number of undescribed, deep-water species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa. These fishes represent a remarkable adaptive radiation of offshore and deep-water adapted fish descended from ancestral shallow water forms. They include the dominant zooplankton-feeding fish of the offshore and deep-water regions of the lake, as well as a number of larger species that appear to feed on small pelagic fishes. Adult sizes range from 10 to 30 cm in total length, depending on species.
Copadichromis borleyi is a species of haplochromine cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is popular in the fishkeeping hobby where it is frequently kept in aquariums. The species has numerous common names, including redfin hap and goldfin hap.
Adrianus Franciscus Johannes Marinus Maria "Ad" Konings is an ichthyologist originally trained in medicine and biology. Konings is best known for his research on African rift lake cichlids. After studies in Amsterdam, he has spent most of his life in Rotterdam.
Aulonocara auditor is a species of haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. It was known only from the holotype collected in northern Lake Malawi near Vua, Malawi. The IUCN state that this species may possibly be extinct due to beach seining within its limited range but there are claims that it was observed in 1989 and was quite numerous, although this was later retracted and it was stated that these observations referred to Aulonocara aquilonium. Following an examination of the holotype, this examination also suggests that A. auditor may not be a species of Aulonocara and that more material needs to be collected and studied.
The nkhomo-benga peacock, also known as the new yellow regal peacock, is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. This species is threatened by capture for the aquarium trade.
The Chitande aulonocara is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi, only occurring in the north-west of the Lake near Chitande ISland. It occurs over habitats of mixed rock and sand and it feeds on benthic invertebrates. The males show territorial behaviour all year and defend their territories from other males. These territorial males are found in deeper areas around 15 metres (49 ft) while the non territorial males and the females are rarely seen below 3 metres (9.8 ft). Ripe females descend towards the males and spawning takes place in a cavity or, if the male's territory does not include a cavity, on the open sand. The specific name honours the British ichthyologist Ethelwynn Trewavas (1900-1993) of the British Museum who described a number of species of cichlid from Lake Malawi.
Aulonocara korneliae, known in the aquarium fish trade as the Aulonocara Chizumulu, Aulonocara blue gold or blue orchard Aulanocara, is a species of haplochromine cichlid.
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.
The flavescent peacock, also known as Grant's peacock, is a species of haplochromine cichlid. Its common name refers to its "flavescent" (yellowish) colour.
Protomelas kirkii is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is most commonly found in areas vegetated with Vallisneria. This species can reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in) TL. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Aulonocara nyassae, known as the emperor cichlid, is a species of haplochromine Cichlid that is endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. It has been recorded from the southeastern arm of the lake and may be preset in the southwestern arm. This species was known only from its holotype, which was collected at the turn of the century, until more specimens were collected in the 1990s.
Aulonocara koningsi is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is restricted to the waters around Mbenji Island and is therefore endemic to Malawi too. It is common in the restricted area in which it occurs but collection for the aquarium trade does not seem to have affected the population.
