| Iodotropheus | |
|---|---|
| Lavender mbuna, Iodotropheus sprengerae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Tribe: | Haplochromini |
| Genus: | Iodotropheus Oliver and Loiselle, 1972 |
| Species | |
|
See text. |
|
Iodotropheus is a small genus of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in east Africa. It currently includes three species. The lavender mbuna, Iodotropheus sprengerae, also known as the rusty cichlid, is the most commonly encountered member of the genus in the aquarium trade.
Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi these cichlids are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Iodotropheus are best kept in aquariums with volumes greater than 120 l (31.5 gallon).