Left photo above: A male Iodotropheus sprengerae (the Rusty Cichlid) from Boadzulu Island, the original type locality of the species, in the southeast arm of Lake Malawi. Photo by Ad Konings, from Konings (1990); reproduced by permission of T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Right photo above: An Iodotropheus species, tentatively identified as I. sprengerae, photographed underwater at Chinyankwazi Island, Malawi. From Plate 11g of Ribbink et al., 1983; reproduced by permission of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa. Compare the coloration of I. stuartgranti.

The species of Iodotropheus are among the few virtually nonterritorial Mbuna, and are justifiably popular, and relatively gentle, aquarium subjects. Their rusty red-brown ground coloration with purple wash is beautiful.

 

Last Update: 1 June 2008 Web Author: M. K. Oliver, Ph.D. Copyright © 1997-2008 by M. K. Oliver - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED