Melanochromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. Ecologically, they belong to the rock-dwelling mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi.
Melanochromis are typically small, slim but muscular fishes with lengthwise stripes of black, yellow and blue. They usually display strong sexual dichromatism.
Species There are currently 15 recognized species in this genus: Melanochromis auratus (Boulenger, 1897) (Golden Mbuna, Auratus Cichlid, Malawi Golden Cichlid) Melanochromis baliodigma Bowers & Stauffer, 1997 Melanochromis chipokae D. S. Johnson, 1975 Melanochromis dialeptos Bowers & Stauffer, 1997 Melanochromis heterochromis Bowers & Stauffer, 1993 Melanochromis kaskazini Konings-Dudin, Konings & Stauffer, 2009 Melanochromis lepidiadaptes Bowers & Stauffer, 1997 Melanochromis loriae D. S. Johnson, 1975 Melanochromis melanopterus Trewavas, 1935 Melanochromis mossambiquensis Konings-Dudin, Konings & Stauffer, 2009 Melanochromis mpoto Konings & Stauffer, 2012. Melanochromis robustus D. S. Johnson, 1985 Melanochromis simulans Eccles, 1973 Melanochromis vermivorus Trewavas, 1935 (Purple Mbuna) Melanochromis wochepa Konings-Dudin, Konings & Stauffer, 2009
References