Neolamprologus brevis has several populations at different areas around Lake Tanganyika. The Mtoto Zebra is golden tan with yellow and white accents in the fins, and pale violet markings on the face. These are shell-dwelling cichlids, meaning they inhabit abandoned snail shells. They situate their particular shell in the sandy bottom of the lake, and guard it quite fiercely, as it us used for shelter and spawning.Because of their small size (only about 2 inches), Zebras should only be kept with smaller, non-predatory cichlids, or ideally in a small species set-up. They may be kept as a harem with one male to 3 or 4 females in a tank of about 20 gallons. Be sure to keep more snail shells in the tank than fish, as they will fight over shells. Be sure you have fine, sandy substrate so they can bury their shell to their liking.Zebras are “micro-predators”, meaning their diet is carnivorous, but because of their small size, they eat tiny brine shrimp, zooplankton, or other smaller sized morsels. For breeding, be sure to feed frozen or live foods. Otherwise, they will accept flake.

Chilotilapia rhoadesii is a Malawi mouthbrooder also known in the trade as a Bream. They are relatively peaceful and are often found in groups in the wild. In the home aquarium they may be housed one or 2 males with several females and may be mixed with other less aggressive cichlids. Females will mouthbrood fry for approx. three weeks before releasing the fry.Chilotilapia rhoadesii will feed on vegetation and on snails in the wild, and can be fed cichlid pellets or flakes, and supplemented with frozen mixes if desired. Dominant males are very colorful, showing iridescent blue-green bodies with two prominent grey horizontal stripes and orange-red speckles in the tail and fins.

This is the albino form of one of the most popular Corydoras species. It is a white or yellowish fish with red eyes. Cory cats are schooling fish, and should be kept in groups of at least 3 to 4 fish. They need a good amount of open swimming room on the bottom and the tank should be sparsely decorated. Temperature should be monitored closely as cory cats get easily stressed by cooler temperatures. Corydoras are peaceful and can be kept in most community and planted aquariums with fish like tetras, danios, rasboras, livebearers and rainbows. Provide broad-leaf plants and crevices under rocks or other ornaments for hiding places. They accept flake and small pellet foods as well as tablets, live or frozen worms, and brine shrimp.

This Talking Catfish, also known as Hancock’s Catfish is a member of the Doradidae family. This family contains many catfish that have the ability to “talk” by rubbing spines in their fins together in much the same way a cricket or grasshopper makes sounds. This fish is gray in color with an irregular black horizontal stripe that has projections up or down in some places. This stripe begins below the dorsal fin and extends to the base of the tail. A projection of the stripe colors part of the dorsal fin black. The Talking Catfish is a schooling fish, and should be kept in schools of at least 4 individuals. It is not a picky eater and will accept most foods, including the tiny snails known to infest some planted aquariums. This fish prefers to take refuge in planted areas, so be sure provide some live plants. It is a peaceful fish that can be kept in most community aquariums. Its taste for snails and preference for planted areas and soft water make this fish an ideal addition to a planted aquarium.

Protomelas steveni “Taiwan Reef” originates from Taiwan Reef in the middle Lake Malawi. Dominant males feature brilliant blue coloration on the head and back, accented with yellow flanks and belly and a red anal fin. A white blaze adorns the forehead and stretches into the dorsal fin. Females are silver. Feed this cichlid a variety of foods such as spirulina and cichlid flakes or pellets. They are micro-predators in nature, feeding on small inverts and crustaceans found in rock and substrate. Tank decor should consist of plenty of rocky caves and cliffs, as well as a sandy, soft substrate. This fish is relatively peaceful with other tankmates, though it can be aggressive towards other males of the same species or those with similar coloration. This fish, like most Malawians, is a maternal mouthbrooder, meaning the female will keep the fry in her mouth for several weeks for protection.