Systematics. The genus Labidochromis was described in 1935 by the ichthyologist Trewavas.  The description was revised by Lewis (1982).  Konings (1995) considers the possibility that Labidochromis sp. "perlmutt" is a geographical variant of L. caeruleus given the pattern of black sub-marginal banding on the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins of both.

Natural habitat.  L. sp. "perlmutt" is reported to have disjunct distribution on the Tanzanian shore of Lake Malawi and has been collected at Higga, the nearby Mbamba Bay Island, and Mara reefs.  This species is reported to be insectivorous (Konings 1995).  L. sp. "perlmutt" was first available to hobbyists in the late 1990's (Scheel 1996).

Captive Maintenance.  Labidochromis sp. "perlmutt" are well suited to cichlid aquariums.  Most adults are moderately aggressive and multiple males and females may be housed together given sufficient space.  The striking iridescent white coloration of adult males provides an attractive contrast to other Malawi mbuna.  Females remain approximately 1/3 smaller than male counterparts and are similarly, though less brilliantly, colored.  The fry are colored similar to adult females with a cream colored background, dark bars, and yellow-orange highlights on the fins.  Juveniles through adults may be maintained in aquaria as small as 100 L (30 gallons) given the moderate aggression of the adults.  A diet of flake/pellet is readily accepted by fry-adults.  Supplementation with live or frozen foods high in protein and lipid are appropriate to aid in conditioning adults of this insectivorous cichlid.  L. sp. "perlmutt" will spawn readily in captivity and spawning is similar to other maternal mouthbrooders.  Fecundity generally ranges between 10-40 depending upon the size of the adult female.  Fry will accept crushed flake food and hatched artemia and develop rapidly.  Raising a group of four to six juveniles will likely provide males and females if propagation is desired.  I have been successful maintaining this species in groups of varying sizes from pairs to groups containing multiple males and females.  Most mbuna, Malawi Haplochromines (including Aulonocara), and Victorian Haplochromines are suitable tankmates for L. sp. "perlmutt".

Literature Cited

Scheel, H.R. 1996.  The pearl of Tanzania, Labidochromis sp. "perlmutt".  Cichlid News 5 (2): 17-19

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