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Melanochromis robustus "Chinyankwazi"


Melanochromis robustus (formerly known as Melanochromis brevis and after that for a while as Pseudotropheus brevis) can be found along the rocky coasts around Chinyankwazi Island and Mumbo Island in the southern part of the lake. They are living there in the shallow parts of the rocky environment, mainly in the breakers zone. These examples are from Chinyankwazi Island.


In the lake the males of these species can grow to 12 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow a little taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 14 cm, females grow to about 10 cm.


Melanochromis robustus can behave reasonable intolerant against equal species, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species with multiple females and other mbuna in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places.


In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with plankton and sometimes with algae which they tear from the rocks. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix.