An mbuna known by several names: Labidochromis sp "mbamba", Labidochromis sp "kimpuma mbamba"

An mbuna (from Mbamba Bay) in Lake Malawi commonly called a "yellow top mbamba". This is the most aggressive Labidochromis I've ever had.....nearly killing a much larger male Ps saulosi. He is the king of the 40 gallon tank. I also have three females for him and he breeds with one particular female frequently. I have had some difficulty keeping the male mbamba in a tank with any other blue striped cichlid without all out war breaking out. Some of the mbamba look very similar to one color variant of the Labidochromis sp "hongi". My mbamba is full grown at a slim trim 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) and my hongi is a big bulky 5 inches so there is no mistaking one for the other based upon size or color.

The females are much smaller (slightly over 2 inches long) and not nearly as colorful as the males. As you can see from the picture of the females above and below the color varies from blue to brownish with faint stripes that come and go depending upon the mood. Below you can see the holding female and the fry.

Next Malawi cichlid <= Melanochromis joanjohnsonae HOME