Pseudotropheus Species Acei Luwala Reef

Like most cichlids from Lake Malawi, fish from this genus reproduce via maternal mouthbrooding. The males often have egg spots on their anal fins which attract spawn-ready females towards them where they attempt to retrieve the imitation eggs while the male emits sperm into her biting mouth, thus fertilizing the eggs. The female and male generally move in an intensive circular motion while they spawn. Eventually, the female retrieves all of her eggs and incubates them in her mouth without eating for 2 -4 weeks depending on the species and the particular fish after which the fry are released.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Pseudotropheus

Photograph © Copyright Carsten K. Larsen Used with Permission