Labeotropheus

Labeotropheus
Blue mbuna, (L. fuelleborni)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Pseudocrenilabrinae
Tribe:	Haplochromini
Genus:	Labeotropheus C. G. E. Ahl, 1926
Type species
Labeotropheus fuelleborni Ahl, 1926

Labeotropheus is a small genus of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. It includes at least two species, each with a number of subspecies or races. Further taxonomic work is required to determine how many species exist. These cichlids are popular ornamental fish and are ideally suited to the cichlid aquarium. Like many Malawi cichlids, Labeotropheus species are algal grazers.

Species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus:^[1]

• Labeotropheus fuelleborni C. G. E. Ahl, 1926 (Blue mbuna)
• Labeotropheus trewavasae Fryer, 1956 (Scrapermouth mbuna)

In the aquarium

Like all cichlids from Lake Malawi these cichlids are best maintained in hard, alkaline water. Labeotropheus are best kept in aquariums with volumes greater than 120 l (31.5 gallon). The aquarium should be decorated with rocks, although caves can also be easily created from terracotta pots.

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Labeotropheus