Bumblebee cichlid
A Lake Malawi cichlid that cleans catfish and steals their eggs.
The bumblebee cichlid is a small fish from Lake Malawi known for its yellow and black stripes. It lives near caves and boulders, acting as a cleaner for the large kampango catfish while also preying on its eggs. This species can change colour rapidly and reaches up to 16 centimetres in length.
- Reaches a maximum length of 16 centimetres.
- Feeds on parasites of the kampango catfish.
- Changes colour to dark brown when stealing eggs.
- Lives in caves and near boulders in Lake Malawi.
- Juveniles are brightly coloured before darkening.
What it is
The bumblebee cichlid is a species of cichlid with an elongate body. It features vertical yellow and black bars that resemble a bumblebee. Juveniles display bright colours, but adults, particularly males, become darker as they mature. This fish is notable for its ability to change colour rapidly. It grows to a maximum standard length of 16 centimetres. The species is endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits specific rocky environments.
Where it lives
This fish is found only in Lake Malawi. Within the lake, it occupies various habitats but shows a strong preference for large caves. It is also frequently seen in the vicinity of large boulders. These rocky structures provide shelter and define its territorial range within the freshwater ecosystem. The species does not occur in other water bodies outside this specific African lake.
How it lives
The bumblebee cichlid has a specialized diet focused on the kampango catfish. It feeds on fish lice that parasitize the catfish and picks at necrotic tissues. This cleaning behaviour involves following the catfish closely, even in captivity. They may approach divers to check for parasites but do not clean other fish. Uniquely, they also raid kampango nests to eat eggs during the breeding season. While doing so, they turn dark brown to avoid detection by the defending parents.
Breeding and life cycle
Like many other cichlids from Lake Malawi, this species is a mouthbrooder. Females carry fertilized eggs in their mouths to protect them until they hatch. This method ensures higher survival rates for the young in the competitive lake environment. Specific details on spawning seasons or courtship rituals are not provided in the available information, but the parental care strategy is well established for this group.
Fish and people
The bumblebee cichlid is kept in freshwater aquariums due to its striking appearance and interesting behaviour. Its ability to change colour and interact with larger tank mates makes it a subject of interest for hobbyists. Observing its cleaning symbiosis with catfish can be replicated in captive settings. It is listed among freshwater aquarium fish species, indicating its availability and popularity in the trade. No specific cultural or food uses are recorded for this wild species.
Questions people ask about Bumblebee cichlid
What does the bumblebee cichlid eat?
It primarily feeds on fish lice that parasitize the kampango catfish. It also eats necrotic tissue from the catfish and raids their nests to consume eggs during the breeding season.
Why does it change colour?
The fish changes colour rapidly for communication and camouflage. Specifically, it turns dark brown when preying on kampango eggs to avoid being attacked by the defending parent catfish.
Where does this fish live?
It is endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. Within the lake, it is most frequently found in large caves or in the immediate vicinity of large boulders.
Good reading and sources
- Pseudotropheus crabro on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pseudotropheus crabro", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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