Flavifemina Maleri Island
Maylandia flavifemina
Flavifemina Maleri Island is a rare Lake Malawi mbuna with classic rockwork behavior and a manageable adult size. It is best kept in a planned mbuna community where territories are broken up by caves and stacked rock.
Physical Characteristics
-
Size: Up to about 6 inches.
-
Coloration: Males develop stronger color and pattern with maturity; females and juveniles are generally more subdued.
-
Body Shape: Robust Maylandia/Metriaclima-type mbuna body.
Origin and Habitat
-
Native Region: Maleri Island is in southern Lake Malawi on the Malawi side of the lake, close to Maleri (Skov) Reef, Nankoma Island, and Nakantenga Reef (Deep).
-
Natural Habitat: Rocky habitat, mainly in intermediate zones around islands at depths of 16-131 ft (most common around ~49 ft). At Chidunga Rocks it is most common near the bottom of the reef at about 6.
-
Same-Locality Cichlids: Other cichlids recorded from Maleri Island include Aulonocara sp. 'deep yellow' Maleri Island, Aulonocara sp. 'stuartgranti maleri' (unknown locality), Aulonocara sp. 'stuartgranti maleri' Maleri Island, and Cheilochromis euchilus 'Maleri Island'.
Behavior and Temperament
-
Temperament: Mildly aggressive.
-
Social Behavior: Best with other mbuna and similar-size African cichlids in a rock-heavy setup.
Aquarium Care
-
Tank Size: A 55 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended.
-
Water Parameters: 74-84°F, pH 7.4-8.4, hard water.
-
Tank Setup: Use sand, extensive rockwork, caves, broken sightlines, and strong filtration.
Diet and Feeding
-
Primary Staple: Feed a quality daily diet such as Ron’s Mbuna Food.
-
Juveniles: Growing fish can be fed Ron’s Juvenile Food.
-
Fry: Newly released fry should be started on Ron’s Fry Food.
-
Feeding Frequency: Feed 1–2 small meals daily and avoid overfeeding.
Breeding
-
Breeding Type: Maternal mouthbrooder.
-
Breeding Notes: Males claim rocky territories and display to females. Females hold eggs and fry in the mouth, and fry should be protected after release.
Tank Mates
-
Compatible With: Lake Malawi mbuna and similarly sized African cichlids.
-
Avoid: Very similar males in tight tanks, delicate community fish, and very small tank mates.
