Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Cichlids were traditionally classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses (Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this grouping. The closest living relative of cichlids is probably the convict blenny, and both families are classified in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as the two families in the Cichliformes, part of the subseries Ovalentaria. This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,650 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 2,000 and 3,000.
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa. It is wholly within the tropics; from about 9°30S at its northernmost point to about 17°S at the southernmost tip. The country occupies a thin strip of land between Zambia and Mozambique, extending southwards into Mozambique along the valley of the Shire River. In the north and north east it also shares a border with Tanzania. Malawi is connected by rail to the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Beira. It lies between latitudes 9° and 18°S, and longitudes 32° and 36°E.
Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
The Zambezi River is the fourth-longest river in Africa, the longest east-flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. The area of its basin is 1,390,000 square kilometres (540,000 sq mi), slightly less than half of the Nile's. The 2,574-kilometre-long river (1,599 mi) rises in Zambia and flows through eastern Angola, along the north-eastern border of Namibia and the northern border of Botswana, then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe to Mozambique, where it crosses the country to empty into the Indian Ocean.
Ayu or sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, is a species of fish. It is the only species in the genus Plecoglossus and family Plecoglossidae. It is a relative of the smelts and other fish in the order Osmeriformes.
The rohu, rui, or roho labeo is a species of fish of the carp family, found in rivers in South Asia. It is a large omnivore and extensively used in aquaculture.
The slaty egret is a small, dark egret. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It is classified as Vulnerable, the biggest threat being habitat loss.
The orangespotted sunfish is a North American species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. These fish are widely distributed across the middle and eastern United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the east, from the Great Lakes south into the Gulf Coast. The orangespotted sunfish is ecologically unique and thrives in turbid, shallow systems that have few predators and low oxygen contents. The species prefers vegetated areas in sluggish backwaters or lakes, and can also be found in turbid rivers. The orangespotted sunfish can extend its range in lower-quality waters, which is not characteristic to other sunfish. Orangespotted sunfish vary in total length and age for different river basin originations, but can be found to live four to seven years, and recorded lengths are up to 15 cm (5.9 in).
The wildlife of Malawi is composed of the flora and fauna of the country. Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, with Lake Malawi taking up about a third of the country's area. It has around 187 species of mammal, some 648 species of birds have been recorded in the country and around 500 species of fish, many of them endemic, are found in its lakes and rivers. About 20% of the country has been set aside as national parks and game and forest reserves.
The purple labeo or purple mudsucker is a relatively large African freshwater fish that occurs in rocky stretches of large rivers, including the Zambezi, Incomati and parts of the Congo. Growing up to 41.5 cm long, it feeds on algae and other encrusting organisms, scraping them from boulders and other hard surfaces, including the backs of hippos. Rather than grazing randomly the Purple Labeo moves along in relatively straight lines as it feeds, leaving characteristic tracks that show where it has been. Although it has been little studied in the wild it is known to migrate upstream when rivers are in flood in order to breed.
The Tana labeo is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is endemic to Lake Malawi and the Shire River in Malawi. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is threatened by habitat loss and overfishing.
The lake salmon or mpasa is an African species of freshwater fish, endemic to Lake Malawi, in the family Cyprinidae found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes.
The mesh-scaled topminnow is a species of fish in the family Poeciliidae. The two population groups are a southern group of populations found in Angola, Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia and a northern population group found in Chad, the Central African Republic, the White Nile in South Sudan and Sudan and in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its natural habitat is small streams and brooks, lakes, and swamps on floodplains where it lives among aquatic vegetation. This species was described by George Albert Boulenger as Haplochilus hutereaui in 1913 with the type locality being Dungu on the upper Uelé River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Boulenger received the type from Armand Hutereau (1875-1914), who was the head of a Belgian ethnographic expedition to the Congo, so he honoured Hutereau in the specific name.
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.
Labeo angra is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae, the carps and minnows. It is commonly known as the Angra labeo. It is native to Asia, where it is distributed in Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, and Pakistan. It has also been reported from Afghanistan.
Labeo alticentralis is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae, the carps and minnows. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it has been recorded from just a few locations, including two near Kisangani and one at Pool Malebo, a section of the Congo River.
Labeo annectens is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae, the carps and minnows. It is native to central Africa, where it occurs in several river basins, including the Congo River basin.
The Upper Zambezi labeo is a species of cyprinid fish of the genus Labeonative to southern Africa.
The harlequin sharkminnow is a freshwater cyprinid fish from central Africa. It is also known as the harlequin shark and variegated shark, especially in the aquarium hobby.
Tilapia sparrmanii, the banded tilapia, or vlei kurper, is a widespread and adaptable cichlid fish that is found in warmer freshwater habitats of southern Africa. They prefer water with ample plant cover, and occur naturally as far north as DR Congo and Tanzania. They have been introduced locally in the northern hemisphere. Younger banded tilapia feed on crustaceans and insect larvae, while the adults feed on terrestrial and aquatic plants and other debris. They undertake local migrations and may shoal before and during spawning time. They guard their own eggs, and although they may move eggs or fry in the mouth, they are not known to be actual mouthbrooders like several other tilapia species. This species can reach a length of 23.5 centimetres (9.3 in) TL and is an important foodfish.
