A new genus, Metriaclima, is described for members of the Pseudotropheus zebra
complex from Lake Malawi. The presence of bicuspid teeth in the anterior portion of the
outer row of both the upper and lower jaws distinguishes Metriaclima from many of
the previously described genera of rock-dwelling cichlids that inhabit Lake Malawi,
including Cyathochromis, Cynotilapia, Gephyrochromis, Labidochromis,
and Petrotilapia. The absence of two horizontal stripes along its flanks, distinguishes
it from Melanochromis. The isognathous jaws of Metriaclima delimits it from
Genyochromis, which is characterized by having the lower jaw extend in front, of the
upper jaw. The mouth of Metriaclima is terminal, while that of Labeotropheus
is inferior. Within the genus Pseudotropheus as it is now recognized, species of
Metriaclima are unique because they have a moderately sloped ethmo-vomerine block
and a swollen rostral tip. Ten previously undescribed species that have a slight variation
from the characteristic blue/black barring are described. The new species are recognized
primarily by their distinctive adult coloring in conjunction with the discontinuity of
morphological differences throughout their range.