What is a maingano cichlid?

A maingano cichlid is a small blue freshwater fish native only to Lake Malawi, an African lake that borders Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. They are one type of the Mbuna cichlids, a group of fish noted for their rock-dwelling habits and their high levels of activity and aggression.

Maingano cichlids were first described as a species in 1997, and quickly entered the aquarium trade. They grow to between 3 and 5 inches in length with elongonated bodies, a rounded nose and rounded tail. Their most distinguishing feature is the pattern of bright blue stripes that run the lengths of their bodies. Their background coloration is a darker, duller blue. Both males and females are a similar size and have similar coloration, with females having slightly lighter bellies.