黑背扁颌丽鱼 · Haplochromis Yellow-black Line

Overview

Mylochromis melanonotus is a large predatory cichlid rarely imported for aquaria. Small fish are prey, and its habit of sifting mouthfuls of substrate makes fine sand an important requirement.

Distribution & habitat

Endemic to Lake Malawi, it is widespread in deeper sandy areas and also occurs in shoreward transitions where rocks are scattered across sand.

Aquarium setup

Create rocky shelters with open swimming spaces between them. Use sand so the fish can sift naturally. Gravel can injure the mouth or gills, and individual pieces may become lodged in the throat. Smaller juvenile quarters should not be mistaken for adequate permanent adult housing.

Diet & feeding

It is piscivorous. A varied aquarium menu can combine meaty live and frozen foods with quality cichlid pellets.

Behaviour & compatibility

Fish too large to swallow are not usually treated with exceptional aggression, but suitable choices are limited. Consider robust, appropriately sized partners and avoid Mbuna. One male with several females is preferable because males defend territories against rivals.

Sexual dimorphism

Males show stronger colors than females.

Breeding

The species is a maternal mouthbrooder, although aquarium reproduction has not been clearly documented. Wild males excavate large spawning pits and exclude rivals. After spawning, the female leaves the male's area. Breeding schedules from common relatives should not be assumed to apply unchanged.

Notes

Some individuals have a shovel-like lower jaw and others do not. Both forms occur within wild breeding populations, explaining past taxonomic confusion and showing why jaw shape alone is insufficient to separate them.