A rock-dwelling cichlid endemic to Chinyamwezi and Chinyankwazi islands, Lake Malawi,
Malawi, Africa is described. The new species is placed in the genus Petrotilapia
based on the presence of predominantly tricuspid teeth on the major dentigerous areas
of the jaws and because the teeth are exposed when the jaws are closed. It is distinguished
from congeners by the gold coloration of nonterritorial males and females. Cheek depth, as
expressed as percent of head length, is typically much smaller in the new species than in
previously described members of the genus.