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Malawi Lake, Nankumba Peninsula

Malawi, Mangochi District, Nankumba Peninsula

Inspired by the enchanting beauty of the third largest freshwater lake of Malawi, I have tried to recreate it in my biotope aquarium.

Every time I look at it, I go back in December 2020 when I got a chance to visit this place and witness the magic of mother nature.

Submitted by: Kunal Mittal
Approved by: Ad Konings & Stefano Valdesalici

GPS: -14.0251265, 34.8226547

Geographical region: Eastern Africa
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type: Lake
Water body name: Lake Malawi
Water body part: Open water
Water body course
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

Videos above and below water

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Fresh water
Water color: Clear water
Water transparency: Low
Concentration of sediments: Low
Water temperature: 22-26 °C
Water flow/curent: None

Chemical parameters

pH: 8
Conductivity
GH
KH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

April 2021

Aquarium decoration

Rocks and 2 drift wood.

Aquarium equipment

Top filter – 800L/hr; Internal power filter – 600L/hr.

Fish care

Fish: 26 specimen of the following species: Labidochromis tanganicae, Maylandia callainos, Cyrtocara moorii, Sciaenochromis ahli.

Feedings with a mixed diet:

Crushed peas – twice weekly (morning)
Hikari cichlid excel – Five times a weekly (morning)
Hikari bio gold – Every evening

Plant care

Water care

Maintain pH between 8-8.5 using pH strips. Temperature maintained between 26-28°C using PC cooler fan setup. 40% water changed weekly.

Dimensions

Length: 91.44 cm
Depth: 45.72 cm
High: 45.72 cm
Volume: 190 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand: Beige
Pebble/Gravel: None
Stone: Grey
Stone form: Irregular
Silt/Mud: None
Leaves: No
Driftwood: Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation: No

Comment by the expert

Ad Konings: Criteria #2 – Under the heading inhabitants nothing is entered, but 4 names are given in the description of the environment. There exists no “Labidochromis tanganicae”. this name was used for L. caeruleus in the 1970s! but this species is found nowhere near the Nankumba Penisula, not even as an introduced species. The second, M. callainos, is an introduced species from the northern part of the lake. Also Sciaenochromis ahli has never been reported from the Nankumba Peninsula, but likely S. fryeri is meant. There are about 110 different species of just cichlids found around the Nankumba Peninsula… Vallisneria is a plant genus, not a family. Criteria #4 – Nothing given. Criteria #5 – Aquarium is way too small for 26(!) cichlids many of which are not from the Nankumba Peninsula. I even see a West African Hemichromis guttatus and a Epalzeorhynchos bicolor from Thailand in the tank! To top it off a man-made hybrid OB Aulonocara joins the ranks of the fish in a supposed biotope aquarium. I believe this contestant misses the point completely.

Stefano Valdesalici: Too small tank!